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Mogyorod. — Defending champion Lewis Hamilton produced a trademark triumph of pace and panache to win yesterday’s Hungarian Grand Prix ahead of his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg and replace him as leader of this year’s world title race. Hamilton outpaced pole-sitter Rosberg at the start and then controlled the 70 laps with a mixture of speed and flawless judgement in sweltering heat at the Hungaroring circuit.

His victory completed a hat-trick of successes in consecutive races, was his outright record fifth in Hungary, his fifth of the season and the 48th of his career.

“The start was everything,” said Hamilton. “I got a good start and one of the Red Bulls was inside me so I was pressurised a lot into Turn One.

“But this is a great result for the team. What a day! The traffic was difficult to navigate, but it was an amazing race. A special thank you to the fans – you make this such a great event.”

Rosberg came home second ahead of Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari and teenager Max Verstappen in the second Red Bull.

Kimi Raikkonen was sixth in the second Ferrari ahead of two-time champion Fernando Alonso of McLaren and Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso, Valtteri Bottas of Williams and Nico Hulkenberg who was 10th for Force India.

Hamilton’s win increased his points total to 192, six more than Rosberg as Ricciardo moved up to third.

“It was all down to the start in the end,” admitted Rosberg. “With Daniel on one side and Lewis on the other I was out of space and that was it really. It’s not possible to pass on this track.

“We have the next race coming up very quickly and it is my home race next weekend, the German Grand Prix, so bring it on,” he added.

Hamilton made a flawless start to pull alongside Rosberg while Ricciardo surged forward on the outside in the run up to Turn One. — AFP.