Hungarian Grand Prix: Verstappen and Leclerc chasing maiden Budapest victory

Grid position essential

Formula 1 is almost ready for its summer break but first up is a fourth round in five weeks as the championship heads to Hungary.

Hungary first joined Formula 1’s calendar in 1986, as the sport ventured behind the Iron Curtain, and it has since established itself as a firm fixture on the schedule.

Held annually in the height of the sweltering central European summer, the purpose-built bowl-like Hungaroring is located a short journey from downtown Budapest.

It is a narrow and twisty circuit, with only one straight of note, meaning there is a greater emphasis on grid position than at some venues.

Hungary can shock

Budapest’s grand prix historically had a reputation as something of a snooze fest but in recent years it has thrown up several surprises – particularly if the weather intervenes.

Daniel Ricciardo scored victory in a wet/dry thriller in 2014 while a year later Sebastian Vettel evaded a crash-fest behind him to triumph in a season of Mercedes dominance.

In 2020 Max Verstappen crashed on his way to the grid in the wet but remarkably Red Bull repaired his car in time for the start and he went on to finish second.

Verstappen was less fortunate in 2021 as he was caught up in one of two Turn 1 incidents that caused carnage and upended the order.

That facilitated a shock maiden victory for Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, becoming the fifth driver in history to score their first Formula 1 triumph at the Hungaroring.

Lewis Hamilton could become the first driver to win nine times at a venue if he's successful in Hungary this weekend

Can Hamilton shoot for a ninth?

Lewis Hamilton has another history-making opportunity this weekend if he can execute victory at the Hungaroring.

Hamilton has won at the circuit on eight separate occasions and no driver in history has ever won at one venue nine times.

Mercedes remains behind Red Bull and Ferrari but in previous uncompetitive seasons Hamilton has still found a way to become the Hungaro-King.

His first win as a champion came at the Hungaroring in 2009, during an uncompetitive season, while his first victory in Mercedes colours arrived at the track in 2013 – his sole success that year.

And Hamilton arrives in Hungary off the back of his best result of 2022, second in France, which marked his fourth successive rostrum finish.

The nagging issue for Mercedes is likely to be its qualifying pace, with the W13 uncompetitive over one-lap in recent rounds, before showing greater promise in race trim. Combatting that weakness, while getting the car into a happy operating window, will be key to Hamilton’s chances.

A more likely outcome is another fight between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, neither of whom have previously taken victory in Hungary.

Leclerc has claimed seven pole positions this season but in race trim it has been Verstappen who has been stronger, recording seven victories across the 12 grands prix held so far.

Recommended bets

Leclerc pole position @ 1.71

Verstappen win @ 2.5