Formula 1 Preview – Hungarian GP Predictions and Podium

It’s as if a bonfire has been lit under the Formula 1 season since the British Grand Prix a fortnight ago. Title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s incident at Copse on the opening lap has divided the sport. The Dutch driver walked away from the high-speed crash but left Silverstone with zero points.

Hamilton went on to win the race despite being brandished with a 10-second penalty for causing the accident in which Verstappen hit the tyre barrier with an impact of 51g. The seven-time world champion cut Verstappen’s lead in the drivers’ championship to eight points heading into this weekend’s Hungarian GP. Mercedes is only five points behind the energy drink owned team in the constructors’ standings after Valtteri Bottas finished on the podium behind Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Silverstone.

Red Bull team principal says Verstappen has turned his attention to the Hungaroring in Budapest. Horner, who believes Hamilton should face a harsher penalty, was quoted on the team’s blog: “Max won’t dwell on anything from Silverstone and wants to do his talking on track,” he said. “He is determined to put this incident behind him and use it as added motivation for the rest of the season, as are we,” Horner concluded.

What to Expect in Hungary

This weekend’s race is the last before the teams head for a summer break and could be a turning point for both Hamilton and Verstappen depending on the result. The 4.3-kilometre track consists of 14 corners with many low-speed sections which favour cars with a high downforce set up: i.e Red Bull. However, the Milton Keynes-based team stood on the top step in Budapest as far back as 2014. Surprise, surprise it’s Hamilton who has been victorious in four of the last five races in Hungary. Standing in the British driver’s way is Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez who were on a five-race winning streak before Hamilton’s win at his home race. It’s all set up for a meeting this weekend between Hamilton and Verstappen.

Outsiders to stand alongside Hamilton and Verstappen on the podium will be Mclaren’s Lando Norris who is third in the drivers’ standings. Ferrari’s Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will also be in the mix based on the scarlet car’s strong performances in Barcelona and Monaco earlier in the season.

If Hamilton wins, it’ll be his ninth Hungarian GP win and his 100th GP victory of his career. Something tells us the 36-year-old will be raring to secure a second consecutive victory.

Predictions

Podium Pick: Verstappen, Hamilton, Perez

Fastest Lap: Hamilton

First to Retire: Nikita Mazepin

Most Team Points: Red Bull

Both Cars Qualify for Q3 Shootout: McLaren