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Hamilton picks up 1st F1 win of 2009 at Hungary

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-27 11:51

BUDAPEST, Hungary: McLaren's Lewis Hamilton won his first Formula One race of the season Sunday at a Hungarian Grand Prix overshadowed by the absence of Felipe Massa, who remained hospitalized with life-threatening injuries from a crash a day earlier.

Hamilton won for the first time since last year's Chinese GP, snapping a streak of 11 races without a podium finish.

McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain gestures as he stands on the winners podium with Red Bull's Mark Webber of Australia (R) and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen of Finland (L) after the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit near Budapest July 26, 2009. [Agencies]

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen came second and Red Bull's Mark Webber finished third. Webber moved to second in the overall title race, after teammate Sebastian Vettel retired with an engine problem.

Massa, meanwhile, remained sedated in a hospital with multiple skull fractures after a crash in his Ferrari during qualifying. Massa's place on the grid was left vacant.

"I've had a great relationship and we've had some great battles and not to see him today was difficult," said Hamilton, who beat Massa by a single point in the 2008 championship following a battle that stretched to the final corner of the final lap of the season. "We miss him and wish him well and wish him a speedy recovery."

Motor sport's governing body suspended Fernando Alonso's Renault team for the next race for failing to advise the two-time world champion that a nut on his front right wheel was not properly secured. Alonso, the pole sitter, would retire early after the wheel came off and bounced wildly down the track.

Overall leader Jenson Button finished seventh for the Brawn GP driver to lead Webber by 18.5 points.

Hamilton, who finished 11.5 seconds ahead of Raikkonen, started pumping his fists in celebration before even crossing the line, unable to rein in his emotions following a largely frustrating season for the British driver and his team.

He patted the No. 1 sticker on his car emphatically after emerging from the cockpit and then had to wrestle the celebratory champagne back from team principal Martin Whitmarsh as McLaren returned to the podium for the first time this season.

"It's an incredible feeling to be back here after what feels such a long time away, and such a struggle with me and my team," Hamilton said after his 10th career win. "We didn't expect to win this season. Undoubtedly we caught up this weekend."

Massa was struck in the helmet Saturday by a loose piece from another car, causing him to crash into the tire barrier at high speed. During the race, Ferrari's garage displayed a banner reading "Forza Felipe Siamo Con Te" -- or "Be Strong Felipe, We Are With You."

"It was very unfortunate what happened. Yesterday was terrifically freakish," Webber said. "But we don't want to get too carried away with it. We missed him on the grid but the show must go on."

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