Hamilton dominates Hungarian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton led the Hungarian Grand Prix from start to finish today to claim the third win of his rookie season.

Hamilton, who had controversially started from pole following a five-place grid penalty for Fernando Alonso, now holds a seven-point lead over his McLaren team-mate in the drivers' title race.

Alonso was forced to start from sixth after being accused by stewards of illegally impeding Hamilton in Saturday's qualifying session.

While Hamilton may have strengthened his hand in his bid to win the world title, McLaren as a team have not lost too much ground over Ferrari in the constructors' fight.

With only Raikkonen scoring points, the gap is now 19 from the 27 prior to the race at the tight, twisty circuit on the outskirts of Budapest.

The Hungaroring is a notoriously difficult track on which to pass, unless unusually wet conditions prevail as happened last year when Jenson Button won the only race of his career to date.

Button's grand prix on this occasion was over on lap 35, pulling over to one side in his Honda with what appeared to be mechanical failure.

Anthony Davidson was another retiree, spinning out a few laps later in his Super Aguri after banging wheels with Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella.

The Italian, like Alonso, had suffered a five-place grid penalty, relegating him from eighth to 13th, undoubtedly hindering his own cause for points as he ultimately finished 12th.

Up ahead Hamilton drove flawlessly, with the 22-year-old at times pressured by Raikkonen, but not enough to force him into an error.

There were occasions when Raikkonen managed to close the gap to under a second on his championship rival, drawing to within just 0.5secs with 13 laps remaining.

But with two such evenly-matched cars, getting close is one thing, overtaking another, and so it proved as Hamilton was able to hold his station.

Behind the leading duo, Heidfeld managed to hold off Alonso over the final 14 laps to claim third, with BMW Sauber team-mate Robert Kubica fifth.

Ralf Schumacher finished in his highest position for Toyota this year of sixth, followed by Nico Rosberg for Williams in seventh, and the Renault of Heikki Kovalainen eighth.

Despite the circumstances, Hamilton was undoubtedly delighted with the win, jumping on to the top of the podium and punching the air with both fists.

Afterwards Hamilton said: "It's been an eventful weekend, and quite emotional for all the team.

"It's good to be back at the top after an eventful race the last time out (European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring).

"With all the drama that has gone on over the weekend, it would have been easy to lose focus.

"It's been a downer on the team, but the team have still done a great job, and I know how to win races.”