McLaren seized "great opportunity" in Hungary

McLaren's Eric Boullier has said that the team's double points finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix demonstrated how it is always ready to grab an opportunity when one arises.

The race saw Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne claim nine points between them, and the former also sealed the fastest lap of the race for McLaren after a late charge on the very last tour. Having languished at the bottom of the Constructors' Championship for most of the year, the Woking squad has now been lifted above Sauber into the penultimate spot.

Speaking after the race, Boullier said: "Today was a timely reminder that, despite a difficult season so far, at our heart we remain a passionate racing team. To score nine points and set the fastest lap of the race shows that, as soon as an opportunity presents itself, we are ready to take advantage of it. What can you say about Fernando's drive today, except that it was utterly sensational. He was absolutely charging out there - and, once he'd made his pit stop and switched to the Prime tyre, he was really able to control his pace until the end.

His pass around the outside of Carlos was brilliant - he knew he had to make a move stick while on fresh rubber, and he did just that. From there, he just drove away, and set a number of quick laps before finally setting the fastest lap of the race on the penultimate lap. He showed today just what makes him so special."

Of Vandoorne's race, which saw the Belgian score his first point since Bahrain 2016, Boullier added: "Stoffel also drove a very strong race. He didn't get a break at the start, as Ricciardo slowed right in front of him, but he drove strongly all the way to the finish.

"He'll be pleased to have scored a point just ahead of his home race; this is the reward for a lot of dedicated hard work and effort from both him and the team. As we prepare for the summer break and the second half of the season, this result will send us away with an added sense of purpose and determination."

Mason Hawker