Formula 1

The Hungarian Grand Prix featured several lead changes, but it was Max Verstappen who came out on top in Sunday's Formula One race.

It's the eighth win of the year for Verstappen, who started in 10th place at the Hungaroring track. On the final laps, he narrowly held off Lewis Hamilton, who charged into second amid some late rain.

George Russell finished third after winning the pole in qualifying, while Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc fell out of podium contention.

Verstappen expanded his lead in the Formula One season standings after his second straight win.

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Results

1. Max Verstappen

2. Lewis Hamilton

3. George Russell

4. Carlos Sainz

5. Sergio Perez

Full results at Formula1.com.

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Fans have become used to seeing Verstappen in front of the pack, but this performance was certainly more surprising than others.

The Red Bull driver had a disappointing performance in a wet qualifying Saturday to start 10th.

At the beginning of this race, even Max Verstappen wouldn't have dreamt of winning this race #HungarianGP

— Narayanan Hariharan (@narayananh) July 31, 2022

After moving toward the front, a spin seemed like it could derail his chances.

LAP 42/70

Verstappen spins and Leclerc gets back in front of his rival #HungarianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/7mCfo1BGLy

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 31, 2022

Rare misstep from Verstappen this season. He doesn’t make those type of mistakes anymore. Might have bailed out Ferrari’s odd call for hard tires with Leclerc? #F1

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) July 31, 2022

Max Verstappen overtakes Charles Leclerc as Ferrari struggle to switch on their hard tyres, but then he has a small spin which hands the place right back to the Ferrari driver.

He also slows down Perez behind him and allows Russell to overtake his team-mate. #HungarianGP #F1

— Daniel Moxon (@dmoxon_) July 31, 2022

The talent of the reigning champion was still on display as Verstappen recovered well from the spin, eventually pulling into first place.

Despite some late rain, the Dutchman remained ahead to win yet another grand prix and continue his dominance of the 2022 Formula One season.

Hamilton, who began in seventh place, also showed his driving ability to climb up to the front for another podium finish.

This was the first time since early 2018 neither Verstappen or Hamilton started in top six. They're about to finish first and second. Undeniably the two best in the business right now, and I think quite comfortably.

— Nate Saunders (@natesaundersF1) July 31, 2022

Sensational drive for both Verstappen and Hamilton today.

P10 to P1 for VER
P7 to P2 for HAM#HungarianGP #F1

— Nick DeGroot (@ndegroot89) July 31, 2022

Lewis Hamilton flying around the track and made up super pace to get into 2nd place for now with 5 laps left. Could have another 2nd and 3rd place podium for Mercedes #F1 #HungarianGP

— Carp (@robcarpenter81) July 31, 2022

Sometimes you have to take your hat off to Max Verstappen. His pace was unbelievable today. Got some good fortune from Ferrari shooting themselves in the foot, but the rest was masterful.

Looking very likely like a double world champion now.

— Joe Krishnan (@joekrishnan) July 31, 2022

Once again, a major story from Sunday was the decision-making of Ferrari. The team has seemingly cost its drivers wins during multiple races this year, and it might have been the case in Hungary.

Leclerc led during the race but took three pit stops that slowed him down on the way to a sixth-place finish. Sainz was also in position to win before falling down the standings.

Ferrari received a lot of criticism:

https://twitter.com/LalitaChemello/status/1553754009055420418

Sure, total Ferrari strategy implosion and the red car seems like a Saturday machine; but what a cool race by @Max33Verstappen and brilliant race by the Merc’s #F1 #HungarianGP

— Kushan Mitra (@kushanmitra) July 31, 2022

May life give you people who push you towards achieving your goals like Ferrari strategists push Max Verstappen.#F1 #HungarianGP

— Yash Sharma (@yashsharma_4) July 31, 2022

Another grand prix marked by Ferrari making a bizarre tactical decision

— Adam Parsons (@adamparsons) July 31, 2022

Ferrari strategy 🤯🤯🤯🤯

— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) July 31, 2022

Ferrari fans watching this race unfold... pic.twitter.com/8w69ABpJi1

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) July 31, 2022

I might as well be a Ferrari strategist right now lol.. every week is more incredible than the other

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 31, 2022

"Tough one, really tough one," Sainz said on the radio at the end of the race.

The drivers will try to regroup during the summer break before returning to action in Belgium on Aug. 28. Verstappen will head into the 14th race (out of 23) with an 80-point lead in the driver standings.

Porsche is reportedly planning to purchase a 50 percent stake in Red Bull's Formula One operation, per Laurence Edmondson of ESPN.

Morocco's Conseil de la Concurrence published a document containing the automotive company's plans.

Red Bull confirmed ongoing discussions for Porsche to join the company by 2026, but denied that anything was finalized.

"Further to speculation that has been reported about a potential future involvement from Porsche into Red Bull Powertrains and Red Bull's Formula One team. As has been previously stated, the companies remain engaged in constructive discussions," Red Bull said in a statement to ESPN.

"We all are looking forward to the satisfactory finalisation of the FIA's various sporting, financial and technical regulations for 2026."

Red Bull engines have been produced by Honda since 2019 before it withdrew from F1 at the end of the 2021 season. Red Bull created its own powertrain division last year and planned to build its own engines by 2026, although it could now feature a partnership with Porsche.

Porsche has not been involved in F1 as a manufacturer since 1964.

Red Bull Racing, meanwhile, has become one of the most successful teams in the sport and currently leads the constructor standings for the 2022 season. Max Verstappen is in first place in the driver standings as he seeks his second straight title while his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez is currently in third.

The team is looking to end an eight-year run of constructor championships by German manufacturer Mercedes, led by superstar Lewis Hamilton.

Porsche, also based in Germany, could help further boost the rivalry that has dominated Formula One for more than a decade.

Sebastian Vettel announced Thursday he's retiring from Formula One following the 2022 season.

The four-time F1 champion explained he's eager to begin turning his focus more toward his family and pursuits outside of racing once his career ends.

"Next to racing, I have grown a family who I love being around. I've grown other interests outside of Formula One," the 35-year-old said. "... My goals have shifted from winning races and fighting for championships to see my children grow, passing on my values, helping them up when they fall, listening to them when they need me."

Lewis Hamilton and Mick Schumacher reacted to the news:

Seb, it’s been an honour to call you a competitor and an ever greater honour to call you my friend. Leaving this sport better than you found it is always the goal. I have no doubt that whatever comes next for you will be exciting, meaningful, and rewarding. Love you, man. pic.twitter.com/eHVmOpov2m

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) July 28, 2022

I’m so sad that you’re leaving, but at the same time excited for you and this new chapter of your life. You’ve been and still are such an important person to me and I’m thankful for our friendship. pic.twitter.com/1iFmlxxgyQ

— Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) July 28, 2022

Vettel's contract with Aston Martin expires at the end of the year. In his second season with the team, he's 14th in the driver standings, and Aston Martin is ninth in the constructor standings.

Thursday's announcement is a significant change from the tone he struck ahead of the French Grand Prix, when he indicated a return to Aston Martin was a possibility.

"I am talking to the team," Vettel said on July 21. "There is a clear intention to keep going. We'll soon see where we stand."

Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll praised the contributions of Vettel to date.

"I want to thank Sebastian from the bottom of my heart for the great work that he has done for Aston Martin over the past year-and-a-half," he said. "We made it clear to him that we wanted him to continue with us next year, but in the end he has done what he feels is right for himself and his family, and of course we respect that."

Assuming his performances continue along their current trajectory, this will be a nondescript finish to a legendary career.

Thank you for the memories 🤩

Seb will leave the sport as a four-time world champion 🙌#F1 #ThankYouSeb pic.twitter.com/cJTIeyLgJA

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 28, 2022

Vettel was one of the most consistent drivers in F1 across the 2010s. His four titles, which came in successive years with Red Bull starting in 2010, are tied for fourth all-time with Alain Prost. His 53 Grand Prix wins are the third-most ever as well, trailing only Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.

A fifth championship proved elusive for Vettel during his time with Ferrari. He was the runner-up to Hamilton in 2017 and 2018.

Still, the German's achievements speak for themselves.

Carlos Sainz earned the first Formula One win of his career with an impressive showing at the British Grand Prix.

The Spanish driver won the pole in qualifying, also the first of his career, and survived a thrilling battle Sunday at the Silverstone Circuit in England to secure a first-place finish. The rest of the podium remained competitive as Sergio Perez grabbed second place late over Lewis Hamilton.

Max Verstappen still leads the driver standings with six wins in 10 races, although he wasn't able to continue his dominance while finishing in seventh.

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British Grand Prix Standings

1. Carlos Sainz

2. Sergio Perez

3. Lewis Hamilton

4. Charles Leclerc

5. Fernando Alonso

Full results at Formula1.com.

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There were several lead changes throughout the race, although the biggest moment came after a restart in the 43rd lap.

Carlos Sainz blew past teammate Charles Leclerc and pulled away from the competition:

LAP 43/52

And at the restart Sainz overtakes his team mate and leads!#BritishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/oWcxDS56mH

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 3, 2022

What a RESTART.

Carlos Sainz overtakes Leclerc.

Hamilton back in 4th. #BritishGP

— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) July 3, 2022

It created a major battle for second between Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez, but Sainz was all by himself on the way to the historic win.

Though Sainz had let Leclerc pass him earlier in the day, his performance down the stretch led to a well-earned victory.

CARLOS SAINZ WINS HIS FIRST F1 GRAND PRIX! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/6vBjflwlbG

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) July 3, 2022

Perez then showcased his driving ability to grab second, while Hamilton ended on the podium after a memorable day in England.

The race began with a scary moment on the first turn of the first lap as Zhou Guanyu, Alexander Albon and George Russell were involved in a dangerous crash.

Massive wreck in the first lap of the F1 British Grand Prix, and the race is red flagged. George Russell and Zhou Guanyu were involved along with several others.

Zhou went off the track upside down. Still waiting on an update on the Alfa Romeo driver.

— Madeline Coleman (@mwc13_3) July 3, 2022

Thank you, Halo 🙏 pic.twitter.com/mDcqmX4LSS

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) July 3, 2022

Despite Zhou remaining in his car for several minutes, he eventually left on a stretcher before Alfa Romeo announced he was conscious and undergoing a medical evaluation.

The Chinese driver later posted on social media that he was okay.

Zhou, Albon and Russell were all forced to retire from the race, however, with the last being a significant factor:

George Russell’s streak of podiums and top-5’s comes to an end on the first lap of his home grand prix. Unfortunate. #F1 #BritishGP

— Jordan Bondurant (@J__Bondurant) July 3, 2022

Russell had left his car in order to check on Zhou, but he was unable to return to the race after receiving assistance to get the car back to the pit.

The drama continued after a restart, featuring a wild stretch from Max Verstappen. The 2022 points leader briefly took the lead after a mistake by Carlos Sainz, but car trouble caused him to drop:

Verstappen Puncture! He has to pit from the lead!#F1 #BritishGP

— Tim Hauraney (@timhauraney) July 3, 2022

Verstappen: "The car's 100% broken"

It's rear bodywork damage. He can continue just will be slow, and he's losing a solid chunk in the middle sector#F1 #BritishGP

— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) July 3, 2022

Verstappen fell from first to sixth after a quick pit stop to change tires, but further damage to the car pushed him even further off the pace. The Dutch driver finished in seventh after barely holding off Mick Schumacher.

At the front of the race, the big story was pit strategy between Sainz, Leclerc and Hamilton.

The two Ferrari drivers came in relatively early for new tires, allowing Hamilton to jump out to a lead for the first time all season. When Hamilton finally pitted on Lap 34, he dropped to third place, but he was still within striking distance of his competition.

Leclerc passed teammate Sainz and did enough to stay in front of Hamilton following the pit stop, which seemingly set him up for a win.

The big shift still came on Lap 40 when Esteban Ocon was forced to stop on the track. The safety car allowed most drivers to pit for soft tires, although Leclerc stayed out on hard tires.

Sainz and Hamilton both pit - but Leclerc has stayed out on Hards! Soft tyres for both Sainz and Hamilton #F1 #BritishGP 🇬🇧

— Autosport (@autosport) July 3, 2022

This might have been the difference as Leclerc fell off the lead and eventually into fourth place. Sainz took advantage to come through with a surprising win.

The Formula One season continues with the Austrian Grand Prix next Sunday.

Formula One driver Zhou Guanyu assured fans that he is doing OK after his scary crash in Sunday's British Grand Prix:

I’m ok, all clear. Halo saved me today. Thanks everyone for your kind messages! pic.twitter.com/OylxoJC4M0

— 周冠宇 | Zhou Guanyu 🇨🇳 (@ZhouGuanyu24) July 3, 2022

His post came after a dangerous collision with George Russell:

https://twitter.com/Taaaanxo/status/1543602139947323392

Dramatic opening to the #BritishGP Hoping that @ZhouGuanyu24 is ok. @F1 #F1 #SilverstoneGP pic.twitter.com/MQYKsKXPHV

— Paul Athans (@paulathans) July 3, 2022

Zhou's car flipped upside down and into the wall after a collision on the first turn of the opening lap at Silverstone Circuit in England.

The Chinese driver remained in his car for several minutes before leaving on a stretcher, and he was moving and conscious, per BBC Sport.

"Important message from race control: Zhou is OK," Alfa Romeo, his team, said, per Autosport.

Following a crash at the start of the British Grand Prix, Zhou Guanyu is conscious and now at the circuit’s medical centre to undergo evaluation. #BritishGP

— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) July 3, 2022

Russell was quick to check on his fellow driver after the crash:

George Russell and Zhou Guanyu have been involved in a big crash!

Russell is fine and out of the car... though Zhou's car rolled over. Hopefully he's uninjured. pic.twitter.com/TPcGbGk6cT

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 3, 2022

The Englishman was not allowed to continue the race after getting out of his car. He discussed the incident on social media:

First of all, the most important thing is that Zhou is ok. That was a scary incident and all credit to the marshals and medical team for their quick response.

Obviously gutted to end the race this way and I'm sorry for the team and the fans. Cheering LH on from the garage. 👊

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) July 3, 2022

Russell has been one of the most consistent drivers in F1 this year, earning a top-five finish in each of the first nine events. He ranked fourth in the driver standings entering Sunday.

Zhou ranked 16th and will earn a DNF for the fourth time this year, although the 23-year-old was coming off the best showing of his rookie season with an eighth-place finish in the Canadian Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Alexander Albon, 17th in the standings, was also involved in the crash and was forced to retire from the race. Albon, competing in his home race, and Zhou were both brought to the medical center after the collision and were conscious at the time, per the FIA.

Amid the recent controversy over his use of a racial slur to describe Lewis Hamilton, reports emerged Friday that Nelson Piquet also used an anti-gay slur when talking about the Formula 1 star on a podcast recorded last year.

Per Sky News, Piquet made the comment to describe how Hamilton lost the 2016 F1 championship to Nico Rosberg.

"The [racist term] must have been [homophobic slur] at the time. He was pretty bad," Piquet said on the podcast, according to Sky News.

Comments Piquet made on a different podcast recorded last year in which he used a racial slur when talking about Hamilton came to light this week.

Per Mauricio Savarese of the Associated Press, Piquet used the term "neguinho," which translates to "little Black guy."

Piquet apologized to Hamilton for the racial slur in a statement issued Wednesday, via ESPN's Nate Saunders:

"I would like to clear the stories circulating in the media about a comment I made in an interview last year

"What I said was ill thought out, and I make no defence for it, but I will clarify that the term used is one that has widely and historically been used in Brazilian Portuguese for a synonym for 'guy' or 'person' and was never intended to offend. I would never use the word I have been accused of in some translations.

"I strongly condemn any suggestion that the word was used by me with the aim of belittling a driver because of his skin colour. I apologise wholeheartedly to anyone that was affected, including Lewis, who is an incredible driver, but the translation in some media that is now circulating on social media is not correct. Discrimination has no place in F1 or society and I am happy to clarify my thoughts in that respect."

Saunders noted that Piquet has been banned from visiting F1 paddocks as punishment.

Hamilton responded to Piquet's use of the racial slur on Twitter, calling it "more than language" and saying it's time to get these "archaic mindsets" out of the sport.

It’s more than language. These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport. I’ve been surrounded by these attitudes and targeted my whole life. There has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action.

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) June 28, 2022

According to Sky News, Piquet's honorary membership with the British Racing Drivers' Club has been suspended after his comments came to light.

The British Racing Drivers' Club owns the Silverstone circuit, which is hosting the British Grand Prix on Sunday.

Formula 1 and Mercedes, Hamilton's racing team since 2013, condemned Piquet's use of a racial slur. Charles LeClerc also issued a statement in support of Hamilton.

Piquet, 69, competed in Formula 1 for 13 years from 1978 to 1991.

Lewis Hamilton believes Formula One should embrace a younger generation following the news of former driver Nelson Piquet using a racial slur to describe Hamilton, per ESPN's Nate Saunders.

"I don't know why we are continuing to give these older voices a platform," Hamilton said, noting that Piquet's comments were "nothing really particularly new for me."

He continued:

"If we're looking to grow in the U.S. and other countries, South Africa, and grow our audience and look into the future and give younger people a platform that is more representative of today's time and who we are trying to be and the direction we are going. It's not just about one individual, it's not just about one use of that term—it's the bigger picture."

[...]

"These old voices ... whether they're subconscious or consciously ... do not agree people like me should be in a sport like this, do not agree women should be here."

The reaction comes after Piquet, 69, used a Brazilian Portuguese racial slur during a podcast last November. He was criticizing Hamilton after a collision with Max Verstappen, who is dating Piquet's daughter.

Piquet apologized in a statement Wednesday after his comments came to light, but Formula One has banned him from visiting the paddock, per Saunders.

Hamilton is one of the most successful F1 drivers in history, having won seven world championships, but he said he regularly faces discrimination from former competitors.

"I don't think in the last couple of weeks—I don't think a day's gone by where there's not been someone who's not been in our sport or relevant for decades, saying negative things or trying to bring me down, but I'm still here, I'm still standing strong," he said.

The 37-year-old initially responded to the news of Piquet's slur by tweeting on Tuesday, "these archaic mindsets need to change."

Bernie Ecclestone, 91, and Sir Jackie Stewart, 83, have also made headlines lately for comments about or tangential to the star driver, with Stewart notably calling on Hamilton to resign.

Regardless, Hamilton continues to work to improve diversity in the sport through his Hamilton Commission.

Former Formula One driver Nelson Piquet has issued an apology for his use of a racial slur aimed at Lewis Hamilton, via ESPN's Nate Saunders:

"What I said was ill thought out, and I make no defence for it, but I will clarify that the term used is one that has widely and historically been used in Brazilian Portuguese for a synonym for 'guy' or 'person' and was never intended to offend. I would never use the word I have been accused of in some translations.

"I strongly condemn any suggestion that the word was used by me with the aim of belittling a driver because of his skin colour. I apologise wholeheartedly to anyone that was affected, including Lewis, who is an incredible driver, but the translation in some media that is now circulating on social media is not correct. Discrimination has no place in F1 or society and I am happy to clarify my thoughts in that respect."

The comments were made in Portuguese on a podcast in November, criticizing Hamilton after a collision with Max Verstappen during the Silverstone Grand Prix. Verstappen is dating Piquet's daughter.

Piquet's words recently surfaced, with some noting the use of a Portuguese slur.

"Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society," F1 said in a statement. "Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect.

Piquet has been banned indefinitely from visiting the F1 paddock as a result of his comments, per Saunders.

Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One champion, provided his thoughts on Twitter:

It’s more than language. These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport. I’ve been surrounded by these attitudes and targeted my whole life. There has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action.

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) June 28, 2022

He also wrote a message in Portuguese, which translates to: "Let's focus on changing the mindset."

The Mercedes F1 team also condemned the comments in a statement.

Piquet, 69, won three Formula One titles in the 1980s before retiring from the organization in 1992. His son, Nelson Piquet Jr., has competed in Formula One and Formula E as well as stock car racing.

Carlos Sainz made things interesting, but Max Verstappen was not to be denied.

For the sixth time this season, Verstappen took the checkered flag, winning the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday.

He had to hold off a stiff challenge from Sainz, who pushed him but couldn't overtake him before finishing second. And Lewis Hamilton finished third, reaching the podium for the second time this season.

The race came down to Verstappen and Sainz battling it out in the final 15 laps.

"It was really exciting at the end," Verstappen said in his post-race interview on ESPN. "I was giving it everything I had. Of course, Carlos was doing the same. Following is tricky around here, but I could see he was pushing, charging, pushing, charging. ... The last few laps were a lot of fun."

Sainz came very close to overtaking Verstappen on several occasions but couldn't quite pull past him.

"I tried everything to pass Max today," he said after the race. "But today we just didn't have enough pace delta to get close enough in the hairpin. ... But the positive thing is that we were quicker, we were faster in this race, just needed that little bit more to overtake him here."

It wasn't enough for Carlos 💔 pic.twitter.com/K8lwLEqH5n

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) June 19, 2022

While it was ultimately a frustrating result for Sainz, who's still seeking his first career F1 victory, it was a better afternoon for Hamilton, who reached the podium for the first time since Bahrain.

LEWIS: "It's quite overwhelming to get this third place, it's been such a battle this year, but we continue to stay so vigilant and focused...

"They're a little bit too fast for us at the moment but we're getting closer, so we gotta keep pushing!"#CanadianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/lD7rCISekY

— Formula 1 (@F1) June 19, 2022

George Russell and Charles LeClerc rounded out the top five.

The safety car was required in the 50th lap, as Yuki Tsunoda went straight into the barrier. That made things interesting, though Verstappen staved off the drama, navigating an older pair of tires than Sainz had to secure the win.

He now holds a 46-point lead over Sergio Perez in the drivers' championship, while Red Bull is 76 points clear of Ferrari.

Up next is the British Grand Prix on July 3 at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN.