Max - Honda on Pole 1st Honda powered F1 car since 2006.
A little bit lucky for Merc.
Lucky in the way it would not have worked if Verstappens tires didn't melt down in the last 5 laps. Even Hamilton was unsure in lap 60 if it was a good call as he was still 15 seconds behind Max. They didn't have big data from the longruns of Friday, that's why it was unsure how long the tires will last. And both were driving the hell out of it if you see the great gap to the 3rd place, without the additional stopp it was nearly a full lap where the others looked like being on a sightseeing bus tour through London.Lucky? I thought that was a great call. Maybe lucky that Hamilton didn't pass Verstappen earlier so that RB use the same strategy...
RB pulled a Ferrari on strategy. Losing a race over tires is a bit sad. Merc and Lewis did what champions do .. find a way. Honda is back.
Well, Lewis himself said after the race that he would NOT have overtaken Max on the same strategy/tires. That's why they did a second stop, with near to no risk as they far ahead of all others. With a bit of luck it worked as Max's tires gave in. The second stop also had the effect that Max was not able to save his tires to the end. The other question is if Max did a second stop before Lewis would Max be able to win the race? Maybe yes, maybe no. Hungary is a track position race, it would have been very high risk.I think the Merc had the overall speed to pass RB on equal tires as well. It was only a matter of time. But diving in for a second set made for some interesting racing!
I believe that is Lewis Hamilton being tactful and (possibly) political. I guess we will never know.