Lewis Hamilton gave fans a long-awaited show in Hungary, as he took his first pole position since 2021.
While the wait was over in qualifying, Hamilton failed to deliver over the course of the Grand Prix, as a poor started ended his chance at challenging for the win.
“Mercedes themselves had a curious if largely positive weekend,” Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle wrote in his latest column.
“Lewis Hamilton secured an impressive and very popular pole position by hooking up a tidy lap under pressure on an improving track when Verstappen had failed to find time in a car which apparently was balanced more towards a race set-up, which could not be questioned a day later.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
“Lewis wasn’t fastest in any sector and wasn’t even top three in one sector, but his class shone through.”
Hamilton’s pole position was a testament to his skill and determination, proving that he still had what it takes to outperform his rivals in tense situations.
While Hamilton failed to turn the timing screen purple in the early sector, he managed to deliver across the whole lap, showcasing his impressive skill behind the wheel.
Unfortunately, it turned out that Hamilton’s ability in the Mercedes only proved able to deliver results over the course of one lap.
The Silver Arrows did have moments of strength in the race, it proved a challenging outing.
Toward the end of the race, on low fuel, both Hamilton and his teammate showed tremendous speed and skill, giving spectators a thrilling spectacles, as the former world champion ended in P4 and George Russell crossed the finish line in P6.
“In the race, the Mercedes had very variable stages of performance, but on low fuel towards the end, both drivers were simply flying along,” Brundle explained.
Hamilton’s incredible pace was evident as he almost snatched third place from Sergio Perez.
READ: Alfa Romeo driver set to secure F1 future
Nevertheless, despite his best efforts, the British racing superstar missed out on a podium finish.
Reflecting on the disappointment, Brundle noted, “Hamilton almost relieved Sergio Perez of third place but ultimately would have the frustration of starting on pole but not being on the podium.”
The missed opportunity to convert pole position into a podium finish left Hamilton and his team with mixed feelings, showcasing the fierce competition in Formula 1.