Button celebrates with win
Associated Press
BUDAPEST, Hungary
Jenson Button celebrated his 200th Formula One race with a victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, while Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel stretched his commanding lead in the championship with a second-place finish in wet conditions Sunday.
McLaren’s Button was steadiest in the constant drizzle at the Hungaroring circuit to secure his 11th career victory, finishing 3.5 seconds in front of Vettel.
Fernando Alonso of Ferrari was third ahead of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, who led for most of the race but dropped back due to five pit stops and a drive-though penalty.
Mark Webber was fifth to stay closest in the standings to his Red Bull teammate, who now leads by 85 points.
Button’s first F1 victory also came in Budapest in 2006 in similar conditions, just as his previous win this season came in wet weather in Montreal.
“The reason why we won today is because we are quick. Even if it hadn’t rained it wouldn’t have mattered,” said Button, who won the Canadian GP in June. “It was a very tough race. It was hard keeping it on the road.”
Pole sitter Vettel bounced back from a season-worst fourth place at the German GP, after he was overtaken early on by Hamilton and then Button.
The constant drizzle at the Hungaroring track made for an unnerving race, as cars slipped off track and spun out throughout.