Having dropped to final with a delayed swap from intermediates to slicks on the race restart, Hamilton was lapping nearly 4 seconds quicker than the leaders after making his third and last cease, giving him an opportunity to combat for a ninth Hungarian Grand Prix win.
However Hamilton’s cost was halted when he closed up on Alpine driver Alonso for fourth place, the Spaniard efficiently managing to maintain the Mercedes at bay for 10 laps and play a vital position in team-mate Esteban Ocon’s eventual victory.
Alonso managed to put his automotive completely on the exit of Flip 2 for quite a lot of laps to cease Hamilton getting the cutback for Flip 3 or a run into Flip 4, irritating the Briton.
Hamilton complained about one in every of Alonso’s aggressive strikes over the radio, however the stewards didn’t see a must take any motion.
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Writing in his common post-race column, F1 managing director for motorsport Brawn lauded the “battle royale” between Hamilton and Alonso – who boast a mixed 9 world championships – and mentioned he noticed nothing mistaken within the defensive strikes.
“I’m glad Fernando gained Driver of the Day, as a result of I wish to give him my vote as nicely,” Brawn mentioned.
“It was a terrific efficiency. One of many Alpine drivers was going to get this award and it in all probability swung from Esteban to Fernando with that battle.
“What you see when Fernando is concerned in F1 are extremely robust battles, however you all the time know he’s going to be honest.
Fernando Alonso, Alpine A521, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“I do know Lewis was moaning a bit at one stage about Fernando’s defence, however I didn’t suppose it was an issue. Fernando was robust and honest and all the time gave nearly sufficient area, which is what you need to do.
“It was a superb battle and hopefully a style of what’s to return within the second half of the season.”
Hamilton solely managed to overhaul Alonso when the Alpine driver made a small mistake into Flip 1, however then rapidly charged previous Carlos Sainz Jr forward to take third on-track, which grew to become second within the last outcomes after Sebastian Vettel’s disqualification.
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Reflecting on the battle after the race, Hamilton mentioned that it had been “wonderful”, however felt Alonso had pushed the restrict of what was honest.
“It actually, actually was improbable,” Hamilton mentioned. “I want the vehicles might observe nearer and [I’m] excited for what the vehicles are like subsequent 12 months. Hopefully that eradicates numerous that unhealthy drafting that now we have right here.
“It’s a extremely tough circuit to overhaul on basically, and to observe, notably in that final sector, however nice, nice wheel-to-wheel battles.
“It actually was wheel-to-wheel a minimum of as soon as. I don’t actually have rather more to say about it.
“Once you’re racing towards a two-time world champion, he in all probability is without doubt one of the hardest drivers, however honest. I’d say at this time was somewhat bit on the restrict.”