Australian Formula 1 prodigy Oscar Piastri has secured points for the fourth time in his rookie campaign in the top class, finishing fourth at the Hungarian Grand Prix in the early hours of Monday morning (AEST).
The Hungarian Grand Prix also marked the F1 comeback of Australian fan favourite Daniel Ricciardo, who finished 13th after taking the place of the axed Nyck de Vries.
Ricciardo beat AlphaTauri teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who came home 15th.
READ MORE: Titmus shatters world record to reclaim freestyle title
READ MORE: Aussie teen stuns Olympic champ in freestyle relay
READ MORE: Frustrated Hynes under scrutiny for tripping incident
Two-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen needed only a few seconds to stamp his authority on the race, before storming to his seventh consecutive victory in a crushingly dominant season.
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton started from pole position ahead of Verstappen, who muscled him out at the first corner and never looked back.
Red Bull’s 12th straight win, including the final race of 2022, broke McLaren’s record for consecutive team wins set in 1988.
“That was so enjoyable to drive. Twelve in a row — that is unbelievable,” Verstappen said.
“Unbelievable.
“I was really enjoying that last stint.”
Verstappen is cruising toward a third straight F1 title. His ninth victory overall — complete with another bonus point for the fastest lap — means the 25-year-old Dutchman already leads Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by 110 points.
McLaren driver Lando Norris finished second for the second straight race and Perez was third for a much-needed second podium in six races.
Verstappen’s career win total now stands at 44 — the same number as Hamilton’s car.
Hamilton started from pole for the first time since the penultimate race of 2021 in Saudi Arabia — which was also when he won his record-extending 103rd F1 race. He has not won since.
He felt he had a chance after an impressive drive in qualifying.
But Verstappen, who won from 10th here last year, overtook a sluggish Hamilton as they dived into the first turn, while the McLarens of Norris and Piastri jumped past Hamilton and dropped him down to fourth.
That is where he finished at the sinewy 4.4-kilometre Hungaroring track, one of the hardest in F1 for overtaking.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
Incredible escapes: The worst crashes in motorsport history
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
