STORY OF THE DAY: Alonso Defends the Lead in Hungary

Fernando Alonso finished second in the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, driving the number 14 Ferrari F14 T. In a wet and unpredictable World Championship race won by Daniel Ricciardo, Alonso produced Ferrari’s best result of the season after leading deep into the closing stages.

Safety-car timing and a bold strategy placed Alonso at the front on ageing soft tyres. He resisted sustained pressure from Lewis Hamilton and held the lead until Ricciardo, equipped with fresher rubber, passed him with three laps remaining. Alonso then kept Hamilton behind to secure second place despite the Mercedes driver’s considerable performance advantage.

The F14 T was Ferrari’s first car for Formula One’s 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 hybrid era. It combined the Tipo 059/3 power unit with complex energy-recovery systems and used pull-rod suspension at both ends. The package was reliable but lacked the power delivery and aerodynamic efficiency needed to win during 2014.

Born in Oviedo, Spain, Alonso won two World Championships with Renault before joining Ferrari in 2010. He challenged for the title in three of his first four Ferrari seasons and became noted for maximising difficult cars. His determined defence in Hungary was the defining performance of his final year with the Scuderia.