Kovalainen GP win keeps Hamilton on top

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BUDAPEST (AFP) — Finn Heikki Kovalainen secured his maiden Formula One victory in dramatic circumstances Sunday - and preserved McLaren Mercedes team-mate Briton Lewis Hamilton's lead in this year's drivers world championship.

In an amazing and dramatic race of unpredictable twists and turns, the 26-year-old Kovalainen took full advantage when luckless Brazilian Felipe Massa's Ferrari engine blew up three laps from the end to win the Hungarian Grand Prix.

As smoke billowed from his car, Massa slowed and stopped, gifting the quiet Nordic driver his first win in his first season with the McLaren team after spending his rookie year at Renault last season.

For Massa, an almost-certain victory was thrown away by a reliability problem that may have cost him his...