Can Hamiton Hone His Advantage in Hungary This Weekend?

We are now just one race away from the month-long summer break in the F1 season following the drama at an action-packed German Grand Prix at the weekend. That race comes at the Hungaroring in Budapest, Hungary and will be the 12^th race of the 21-race season in F1.

Before we preview the race in Hungary and our tips for it, let’s take a look back at what was a hugely exciting weekend at the German Grand Prix, with more than a few surprises.

German Grand Prix Review

After running well in practice, the weekend took a turn for the worse for Lewis Hamilton, when after problems with his Mercedes meant that he could only qualify in 14^th place, much to the delight of the home crowd who roared their favourite Sebastian Vettel on to Pole Position for the race, seemingly setting up a relatively comfortable race for the home favourite.

For the majority of the race Vettel held on to first place, with Hamilton carving his way through the field to get in amongst the fight for the points places, but still well off the pace being set by the Ferrari.

Hamilton’s weekend however would get better when rain started to fall but only on certain parts of the track. As the drivers struggled to pick the right tyres for the slippery track, Hamilton capitalised to move right in contention for the podium places with a stunning drive on slick tyres in tricky conditions.

However, with 15 laps to go, it seemed that a Ferrari 1-2 was on the cards with Vettel pulling away from Raikkonen but then the rainfall increased and two laps later, Vettel came unstuck, losing control at the Stadium hairpin and collided with the barrier, ending his race.

With that a safety car came out and drivers dove into the pits to change tyres, which allowed Hamilton to move into first. The Brit faced a challenge from team-mate Valtteri Bottas in second after the safety car came in, but after a battle on the opening lap, Bottas was given orders by team boss Toto Wolff to maintain his position and his tyres for the remainder of the race.

Thus, Mercedes celebrated a rare 1-2 once again this season in their home race and Hamilton will be thrilled at not only one of his best ever Formula 1 race drives, but the fact he has now opened up a lead once again on Vettel at the top of the Driver’s Championship race.

Driver’s Championship

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 188
2. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) – 171
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) – 131
4. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) – 122
5. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) – 106
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 105
7. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) – 52
8. Fernando Alonso (McLaren) – 40
9. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) – 39
10. Sergio Perez (Force India) – 30
11. Estaban Ocon (Force India) – 29
12. Carlos Sainz (Renault) – 28
13. Roman Grosjean (Haas) – 20
14. Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) – 18
15. Charles Leclerc (Sauber) – 13
16. Stoffel Vandooren (McLaren) – 8
17. Marcus Ericsen (Sauber) – 5
18. Lance Stroll (Williams) – 4
19. Brandon Hartley (Toro Rosso) – 2
20. Sergey Sirotkin (Williams) – 0

Constructor Championship

1. Mercedes – 310
2. Ferrari – 302
3. Red Bull – 211
4. Renault – 80
5. Force India – 59
6. Haas – 59
7. McLaren – 48
8. Toro Rosso – 20
9. Sauber – 18
10. Williams – 4

The teams now make the relatively short trip from Germany to Hungary for the final Grand Prix of this part of the season, after which the drivers and teams will have a month’s break before the next Grand Prix takes place in Belgium at the end of August.

Hungarian Grand Prix

The 12^th Grand Prix of the season sees teams head to the Hungaroring in what should be an intriguing race. Lewis Hamilton’s unexpected win and Vettel’s failure to finish, has ensured Hamilton holds a 17-point lead over the German heading into this crucial race.

However, the twisty nature of the Hungaroring means that this is a track that is more likely to suit the Ferrari’s than the Mercedes, based on recent performances, but it is also a track which should see the gap between Red Bull and the two top teams closed to the point where Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo will feel that they stand a decent chance of at least a podium finish, and maybe even a first place, with the outright power of a car not the most important factor on this track.

Lewis Hamilton has won five races at the track, a record for any driver, but last year the race was won by Sebastian Vettel for Ferrari, indeed the German has won two of the last three races held on the circuit. The race has been part of the F1 calendar every year since 1986, although there was just one Hungarian Grand Prix prior to then, which took place back in 1936.

Two other drivers that will race at the weekend have also won here, Daniel Ricciardo for Red Bull in 2014 and Kimi Raikkonen for McLaren-Mercedes back in 2005.

Who will win the Hungarian Grand Prix?

Currently, bet365 Sport are offering the latest odds on the race as follows (odds correct as of Monday 23^rd July 12pm BST)

Odds

• Sebastian Vettel – 7/4 favourite
• Lewis Hamilton – 11/4
• Max Verstappen – 10/3
• Daniel Ricciardo – 7/2
• Kimi Raikkonen – 16/1
• Valtteri Bottas – 16/1
• 1000/1 bar

Who is our tip to win the Hungarian Grand Prix?

There are several issues that I think point to a strong performance from Sebastian Vettel this coming weekend in Hungary. The fact the German made a rare mistake in his home Grand Prix will make him even more determined to prove his talents in Hungary, especially on a track where his Ferrari should have the beating of the Mercedes.

Add to that the fact that Vettel is now 17 points behind Hamilton and will not want the Brit to extend that further ahead of the summer break and I think you have plenty of fuel to back Vettel as the winner here.

However, I think Vettel could well face a real challenge from the two Red Bulls and it would not surprise me if Ricciardo and Verstappen are Vettel’s two closest challengers, although given the crazy nature of this particular Formula 1 season, who knows what is possible at Hungary this weekend.