Lewis Hamilton, the defending Formula 1 World Champion, finally scored his first victory of the 2009 Grand Prix season with a commanding drive at the Hungaroring.
Massa injured in Freak Accident
The main story in qualifying was a bizarre accident which left Ferrari's Felipe Massa with serious head injuries. Massa, following Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello on the track, was struck on his helmet by a suspension component which fell off his countryman's car. Massa's Ferrari continued travelling in a straight line after the impact, cutting across a corner before slamming into a tyre barrier.
After Massa had been stabilised the popular Brazilian was airlifted to hospital where he was found to be suffering from skull fractures. After emergency surgery Massa's condition was described as serious but stable. The freak accident occurred just six days after 18 year old Formula 2 driver Henry Surtees was killed at Brands Hatch after being hit on the helmet by an errant wheel.
The Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session was thrown into further turmoil in Q3 when the timing system went down. When the times were eventually retrieved Fernando Alonso was a surprise pole-sitter, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel second quickest. Mark Webber was third in the other Red Bull, followed by Hamilton's McLaren. Brawn were understandably eager to check championship leader Jenson Button's car after the Massa crash and the Englishman only managed one quick lap which was good enough for eighth.
Hamilton and McLaren dominate 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix
Alonso made a good start and held his lead, while Hamilton was soon into second place. Alonso was fuelled lightly and pitted first, only for a tyre to fall of his car a short time later. The Spaniard retired from the Grand Prix soon after. The incident had serious repercussions for Alonso's Renault team. Renault have been suspended from the next Grand Prix after they were judged to have released Alonso's car with an unsecured wheel and failed to inform the driver. The team is likely to appeal the decision before the next race.
For the rest of the afternoon Hamilton circulated at the front while the others fought for the minor placings. Kimi Raikkonen brought Ferrari some joy with a spirited drive to second place. Webber closed the gap on Button in the title chase with a third place finish, but his team mate Vettel was forced to retire with broken suspension.
Nico Rosberg had a strong weekend for Williams and topped it off with a fourth place finish. Heikki Kovalainen was next across the line in his McLaren. Toyota's Timo Glock was also in form, finishing fifth despite starting from 13th on the grid. Button could only salvage two points with a seventh place finish, ahead of Jarno Trulli in the other Toyota.
Jaime Alguersuari became the youngest driver in Formula 1 history and drove sensibly to finish one place ahead of his Toro Rosso team mate Sebastien Buemi. Button leaves the Hungaroring with a reduced lead in the Formula 1 World Championship. Webber moves to second place in the standings ahead of Vettel.
 |
