Hamilton wins in Hungary from pole to end drought

Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain holds up his trophy on the podium after winning the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Mogyorod, near Budapest July 28, 2013. Hamilton seized his first win for Mercedes in a sweltering Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, leading from pole position to seal his fourth win at the circuit and 22nd of his career. [Photo/Agencies]

BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Lewis Hamilton broke his drought on a swelteringly hot Sunday, winning the Hungarian Grand Prix to match Michael Schumacher's track record of four wins.

Not that the Mercedes driver expected to win his first race since the United States GP last November, saying beforehand he would need "a miracle" despite qualifying in pole position for the third time in a row.

"I was hungry for it today," Hamilton said. "I was going for every move I could."

Hamilton beat Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus by 10.9 seconds and finished 12.4 ahead of Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, who moved further ahead in his quest for a fourth straight Formula One title.

Mercedes has been quick in qualifying all season but has struggled with its tires during race day. However, they held up on a Hungaroring track that got up to 123 degrees.

"We've got to keep working hard," Hamilton said. "But if we can come here and make them last (then) anything is possible.''

Tying one famed drivers' record drew praise from another.

"He drove sensationally, the best I've ever seen him drive," said non-executive Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda, a three-time F1 champion. "We were not as quick as the Red Bull, but Lewis made it all up with the way he passed people."

Vettel was frustrated at failing to overtake Raikkonen late in the race.

"I would have loved the race to have been a bit longer," Vettel said. "I got close but I wasn't in the prime overtaking spot at that point."

Vettel headed into the weekend 34 points clear at the top and added four more to his lead as the race enters its mid-season break. The next race is the Belgium GP on Aug. 25.

The German has 172 points, 38 in front of Raikkonen and 39 ahead of Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, who finished fifth to slip behind Raikkonen overall. Hamilton has 124 to sit fourth.

Hamilton managed his tires wisely to earn his 22nd win. Coming into the race, he had been third three times. But he also won from pole in Hungary last year, and he kissed his Mercedes car and hugged team boss Ross Brawn following Sunday's victory.

"We were on the back foot when we came in," Hamilton said. "I feel like I really earned my keep today."

The Briton was in no mood for compromise during the race, snapping at an engineer over the race radio after receiving some late advice: "Hey man, I'm trying to drive here. I'm happy with the way the car is."

Meanwhile, teammate Nico Rosberg had to withdraw near the end with flames billowing from the back of his car. He was unhurt.