Button Wins a Rainy Race in Hungary

It is said that in racing, rain is the great equalizer, and Jenson Button proved that today at the Hungarian Grand Prix. In a race where many drivers took five or six pit stops to deal with the changing weather, Button only took three. For a time, in looked that it would be a McLaren one-two finish with Lewis Hamilton in second, but due to some poor tire choices, a lack of grip and a drive-though penalty Hamilton was pushed back to fourth. 

Hungary was the first grand prix that Button ever won, and today was the 200th Formula 1 race in which he has competed. 

Vettel took second place, despite starting from the pole, although his performance is not as simple as it appears. He also had problems with grip and tires like most every other driver in the race. Taking second place, also means that Vettel pulled an even larger lead out of his teammate Mark Webber. The difference between them is now 85 points. He has eliminated all except for the top seven drivers from having any chance of winning the championship. 

Despite a spin during the middle of the race, Fernando Alonso took third place. 

Hamilton and Webber battled for most of the last quarter of the race, until lap 64 when in a bold and impressive move Hamilton passed Webber for fourth by taking advantage of lapped traffic. 

There were several retirements during the wet race. On lap 25, Nick Heidfeld's Renault caught on fire while leaving the pits. He was uninjured. Michael Schumacher slid off the track on lap 28 to reture from the race. 

The next race will be at the historic Spa-Francorchamps course four weeks from now on August 28.