Budapest: Lewis Hamilton passed Max Verstappen with three laps remaining to win the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hamilton was within one second of Verstappen when he was called in for a second pit stop - Mercedes hoping that a switch to fresh tyres would provide the British star with a chance to usurp Verstappen.
The strategy move by Formula One's all-conquering team proved inspired. Hamilton left the pit lane 21 seconds behind Verstappen with 21 laps remaining, the Briton lighting up the time sheets before catching the back of Verstappen's Red Bull.
The world champion then made the move for victory stick around the outside of Verstappen on lap 67. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel finished third ahead of his team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton will now head into the summer break with a mammoth 62-point championship lead over Valtteri Bottas. The Finnish driver ended the race in eighth place after he had to stop for a new front wing following a collision with Leclerc on the opening lap.
"Wow, just wow, mate," said Hamilton's engineer, Pete Bonnington. "What a drive. What a strategy." Hamilton replied: "That was a tall order but I am grateful you did it. That feels so good. I hope you are feeling it too."
