F1 | Hungarian GP report cards – Hamilton caresses the world championship, Ferrari sinks

LEWIS HAMILTON 9 He doesn't shine in qualifying, as Valtteri Bottas manages to snatch the front row from him in the photo finish. On Sunday, however, the mastiff that we all know returns. He burns his team mate at the start and goes after Max Verstappen, who can do nothing against the excellent strategy of the Mercedes team (MERCEDES STRATEGY 10). His race, at least in some ways, is reminiscent of Michael Schumacher's in France in 2004. He flies away in the rankings reserved for drivers and his impression is that of having reached the end of the line for this 2019 world championship. UNSTOPABLE

MAX VERSTAPPEN 8,5 After the splendid victories achieved in Austria and Germany, Verstappen dreams of a third sensational coup which would call almost everything into question about the world ranking. However, Lewis Hamilton's stubbornness, combined with the genius of Mercedes, denied him success, shattering every slightest dream of glory without remission of sin. The victory at the Hungaroring would have been absolutely deserved, especially after the super qualifying and the consistency shown in the first part of the race, but we are certain that the appointment with the top step of the podium is only postponed. He will have other opportunities. KING WITHOUT CROWN

SEBASTIAN VETTEL 7 The podium was the maximum he could aspire to at the Hungaroring and let's say that the objective was successfully achieved. He was outwitted in qualifying by his teammate, but on Sunday he was more incisive, given that the pace shown on the used medium tire allowed him to follow a different strategy. The soft at the end of the race allowed him to complete a furious comeback, giving him an absolutely deserved podium. He couldn't ask for anything better. REBORN

CHARLES LECLERC 6 Fast and imperfect. Charles continually struggles with a balance that doesn't satisfy him 100%, an aspect that doesn't allow him to maximize the potential of the SF90. On Saturday he risks throwing everything away, crashing violently into the external barriers of the last corner. A violent contact, but fortunately it does not affect the mechanics of the car. In the race he kept the pace during the first stint, but suffered from anomalous consumption which forced him to follow a standard strategy. He is mocked at the end by Vettel, but we are talking about a fourth position that was all in all deserved. WITHOUT INFAMY AND WITHOUT PRAISE

Ferrari 4 You have to go back to the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to find a race in which the Red car had a gap of more than a minute under the sacked flag. All this is more than enough to make it clear that we are not there. MUTE

CARLOS SAINZ 7 Fifth in Hockenheim, fifth in Budapest. The Spaniard confirms himself in the top positions of the ranking, showing speed, maturity and consistency of performance. A perfect performance that puts him sensationally in the wake of Gasly in the rankings reserved for drivers. Has the time come for a leap in quality? Top

PIERRE GASLY 4,5 He will go down in history as the eternal incomplete of the Red Bull team. The situation is becoming more and more difficult and the presence of Sainz behind him certainly doesn't help him. We need a reaction. LAST CHANCE

KIMI RAIKKONEN 7 Kimi, unlike Gasly, will go down in history as the Robocop of Formula 1. We no longer know how to describe him. He starts well, he keeps the pace and defends his position over Bottas very well with much older tyres. He gives the team important points for the constructors and as fans we can't help but take our hats off. TIMELESS

VALTTERI BOTTAS 5 He started well, but a contact with Leclerc practically ruined his race, forcing him to stop which did not allow him to battle for the top positions in the standings. He comes back from the back, but shows himself to be compliant in certain moments of the race (see the battle with Kimi.ndr), an aspect that leads him to get a negative grade. Wolff's failure at the end of the race smacks of condemnation. BAD LUCKY

ALEXANDER ALBON 6 The Thai confirms himself to be a very tough nut to crack, especially in hand-to-hand combat, and confirms the top ten placing obtained in Hockenheim. He openly challenges his teammate and wins a points area that is fundamental not only for the team, but also for morale. PROMOTED

LANCE STROLL 4,5 He arrives behind a Williams. Do we need to add anything else? FAILED

GEORGE RUSSELL 7 In qualifying he pulled off a titanic lap, an aspect that allowed him to come close to a sensational qualification for Q2. In the race he does his best, keeping people like Lance Stroll and Antonio Giovinazzi behind him. The team couldn't ask for more from him. INCOMPLETE STAR

SERGIO PEREZ 6 He pushes hard throughout the race, showing everyone his abilities, but unfortunately he fails to finish inside the top ten. SURVIVOR

LANDO NORRIS 6,5 He kept pace with Sainz throughout the race, but a stop that was too slow caused him to lose two positions. He finishes ninth, but we're talking about a wasted opportunity, given that sixth place would have been more than deserved. MISSED OPPORTUNITY

DANIIL KVYAT 5 The Russian lost the direct clash with his teammate and was unable to confirm the top ten placing obtained in Germany. He'll do better next time. SATISFIED

THE OTHERS: Antonio Giovinazzi (4,5); Nico Hulkenberg (5); Daniel Ricciardo (4,5); Kevin Magnussen (5); Romain Grosjean (6)

HUNGARY GP 6,5 Despite the layout not prone to overtaking, the Hungaroring manages to give fans a lively and very strategic race, animated by some nice duels in the middle of the pack. An important confirmation after the show admired in recent weeks.