Hamilton dominates from start to finish to win Hungarian Grand Prix
updated 11:22 AM EDT, Sun July 29, 2012
Lewis Hamilton celebrates his superb victory in the Hungary Grand Prix in traditional style.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Lewis Hamilton wins Hungarian Grand Prix from pole
- Lotus pair Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean second and third
- Fernando Alonso finishes fifth to maintain title lead
- Two-time defending champion Sebastian Vettel fourth
(CNN) -- McLaren's Lewis Hamilton controlled the race from start to finish to win the Hungarian Grand Prix Sunday to revive his title hopes.
The 2008 world champion made the most of pole position to cross the line at Hungaroring ahead of Lotus pair Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and France's Romain Grosjean.
It was the second win of the season for Britain's Hamilton, who was fastest in both practice sessions Friday and then dominated qualifying.
Spain's Fernando Alonso of Ferrari finished fifth to maintain his lead in the title race.
Two-time defending champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany took fourth for Red Bull.
I am looking forward to the continuation of the championship. A long way to go and a lot of work to do but we have shown we can compete
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton's teammate Jenson Button finished sixth ahead of Bruno Senna of Brazil in the Williams.
Mark Webber in the second Red Bull, Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Nico Rosberg for Mercedes completed the points scoring.
Alonso has a 40 point lead in the championship standings with Vettel two points further adrift in third and Hamilton in fourth.
Hamilton led the championship before a recent poor run, but after the mid-season break will clearly be a force in an improved McLaren with nine of the 20 races to go.
"I am looking forward to the continuation of the championship. A long way to go and a lot of work to do but we have shown we can compete. It is very, very close but we are going to give it all we can," he told the post-race media conference.
It was the 19th win of his 101-race F1 career and it only came under threat towards the finish as he held off Raikkonen on worn tires.
Raikkonen was unhappy that his car's kinetic energy recovery system (Kers) was faulty.
"We came second, it's not enough, but we had some problems with the Kers," said the former world champion.
"We had some speed and we'll try to win the next race. At least we are up there all the time and we put ourselves in a good position but we are not happy until we win."
Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher endured a miserable afternoon, with his Mercedes having to start from the pit lane after its engine cut out on the grid.
He was late given a penalty for speeding in the pit lane and came home 24th and last.
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