2007 Hungarian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Hamilton leads by 2 points over Alonso and is 11 points clear of third-placed Massa. McLaren hold a 27-point advantage over Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship.

Previous race

A torrential rainstorm stopped and restarted the European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Alonso won, Massa was second, and Webber took third for Red Bull. Hamilton started tenth after a heavy qualifying crash, aquaplaned off on lap four when the race was stopped, and recovered to finish ninth after spinning repeatedly following an early switch to dry tyres.

Between-race developments

McLaren appeared before the World Motor Sport Council regarding the Ferrari data espionage allegations. The outcome of the hearing is pending. Scott Speed has been replaced at Scuderia Toro Rosso by Sebastian Vettel, making his second Formula One start.

Entrants

Sakon Yamamoto replaces Markus Winkelhock in the second Spyker seat. Sebastian Vettel starts his second Grand Prix for Toro Rosso. Ralf Schumacher is entered for Toyota.

Qualifying controversy

During qualifying, Hamilton did not honour a team arrangement to allow Alonso past on track, which denied Alonso a final quick lap time. Alonso responded by holding Hamilton in the pit lane, costing Hamilton his own final flying lap opportunity. Stewards dropped Alonso five places to sixth on the starting grid. Hamilton starts from pole. McLaren are stripped of Constructor’s Championship points for this race and will not receive a winning constructor’s trophy if one of their drivers wins.

Practice

Kubica tops FP1 with a 1:22.390, ahead of Massa, Räikkönen, Alonso, and Hamilton. In FP2, Alonso goes fastest at 1:20.919, with Kovalainen second and Hamilton third. Massa leads Saturday practice at 1:20.183, followed by Alonso, Hamilton, Heidfeld, and Räikkönen.