Lewis Hamilton lines up alone for the Hungarian Grand Prix restart

A Formula 1 starting grid is designed for several rows of cars, mechanics clearing the track and a field waiting for five lights. At the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix restart, it contained only Lewis Hamilton, while every other remaining driver waited at the end of the pit lane on dry-weather tyres.

The race had been stopped after two separate first-corner accidents on a damp opening lap. When the field prepared to restart, Hamilton held the lead and remained on intermediate tyres.

Conditions had changed during the stoppage and formation lap. The track was drying quickly, prompting every driver behind Hamilton to enter the pits for slicks before taking the restart.

Five lights for one car

Hamilton continued to the grid and stopped in the first position. Fourteen rivals remained in the event, but all were in the pit lane. The normal start procedure continued, leaving the Mercedes alone when the lights went out.

The image was extraordinary but permitted by the regulations. Drivers could change tyres at the end of the formation lap and begin from the pit lane. Hamilton was therefore the only car entitled and required to take the standing start from the grid.

He completed one racing lap before Mercedes brought him in for slick tyres. By then, the other cars had already left the pit lane, and Hamilton rejoined at the rear of the field.

A lead converted into recovery work

The decision cost Mercedes track position and transformed Hamilton’s race. Instead of leading the restart, he had to pass through traffic on a circuit where overtaking was difficult.

He eventually reached third on the road, aided by the performance of the Mercedes and a determined recovery drive. Sebastian Vettel’s later disqualification promoted him to second.

Hamilton’s solitary restart did not involve a new rule or deliberate experiment. It emerged from a specific combination of changing weather, red-flag procedure and one team reaching a different tyre conclusion from every rival. The regulations had always allowed the situation. Formula 1 had simply never expected the starting photograph to look quite so empty.