Written by Owen Bradley
Formula One returns to the Hungaroring circuit in Magynar Nagydij for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Details on the session times and where to watch the Grand Prix can be found below.
The Circuit
With 14 corners, 8 to the right and 6 to the left, the Hungaroring lends itself relatively well for overtaking, with hotspots at the heavy braking zone of Turn 1, which directly flows into the long left-hander of Turn 3 after the flat out Turn 2 kink to the right.
On the run into Turn 1, there is a DRS (Drag Reduction System) zone down the main straight, allowing drivers to level one another and make a move into the first corner, a sharp right-hander that tightens on exit, meaning the drivers must be relatively patient on the throttle.
Another DRS zone activates on the run into Turn 2, allowing both drivers in a battle the opportunity to overtake or re-overtake one another. Some battles may also continue through to the fourth corner, which then flows onto another short straight before the incredibly fast and tight left-hander of Turn 5.
The middle sector is the narrowest and most technical area of the circuit, therefore overtaking will be rare to see in this sector, however if tyre wear comes into play, this part of the circuit will draw the biggest differences in lap times between two cars with differing tyre grip.
Tyre Strategy and Weather Forecast
The weekend looks like it will remain dry, with temperatures reaching 33 degrees celsius on Sunday. Tyre grip is going to be incredibly important in this race, as tyre wear in the technical and flowing areas of the circuit can make or break lap times.
We saw this in the 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton made an extra pit stop, pitting for fresh Medium tyres, where Verstappen and Red Bull elected to stay out on the Hard tyres and go until the end of the race.
On Lap 67, Hamilton went around the outside of Verstappen at Turn 1 and took the lead of the race, going on to win the Grand Prix. Therefore, coming into this race which is unlikely to be affected by rain, tyre grip and pit stop strategies are going to be vital.
McLaren vs Verstappen
Over the last few races, the big stories and talking points have been almost exclusively about McLaren and Verstappen's battles as we approach the summer break.
Lando Norris has been able to challenge the Red Bull of Verstappen at almost every single race over the last month or so, leading many to believe that McLaren may be able to mount a serious challenge to Verstappen's championship.
However, despite being able to challenge Verstappen, Norris has been unable to actually beat the Dutchman in the last three races, the pair even colliding in the closing stages of the Austrian Grand Prix. At the British Grand Prix, Verstappen seemed to struggle for pace at various stages of the race, with Lewis Hamilton taking the victory in front of his home crowd.
With McLaren catching up, and Red Bull starting to look less impermeable, there may be a proper fight once again at the Hungarian GP between the pair.
Hamilton: Re-Igniting the flame
Lewis Hamilton delighted the British crowd with a thoroughly emotional victory at Silverstone, beating his old rival Max Verstappen, and the younger drivers that he continues to battle against, despite being told by many that he is too old, or past his prime.
A genuine victory on pure pace and intelligence has seemingly re-ignited passion within Hamilton, who will likely now seek to build upon his momentum. George Russell took victory at the Austrian Grand Prix just a week prior to Hamilton's triumph as well, leading many to wonder if Mercedes has made a comeback.
Many eyes will be on Mercedes to see if they can challenge Red Bull and McLaren in the upcoming race.
Ferrari's Fall from Grace
Despite having two victories this season, Carlos Sainz winning the Australian Grand Prix earlier this year and Charles Leclerc's incredibly emotional victory at his home race in Monaco - Ferrari had a really quiet triple-header, with Leclerc in particular struggling in the last few races.
Whilst Red Bull and McLaren lead the way, with Mercedes looking to join the fight, it will be imperative for Ferrari to capitalise on potential clashes or mistakes with the big teams, and run as something of a dark horse in the race.
The Hungaroring is called by some "Monaco without the barriers" and therefore, this circuit may pose as one of the better circuits for Ferrari to get a strong result at.
Hulkenberg and Haas' Hope
Nico Hulkenberg has revealed earlier this week that he believes that Haas might be able to be the team at the top of the midfield, beating those around them such as Aston Martin, Visa CashApp RedBull and Alpine.
Hulkenberg has finished in sixth place at the last couple of races, with Silverstone and Austria being high-speed circuits, there may well be merit to Hulkenberg's beliefs, however with the Hungaroring having a lot of technical corners, this impressive run of performances may not quite carry over in the Hungarian GP.
Owen's Predictions I'm predicting a very strategic race between Verstappen and the McLaren drivers. With Mercedes sitting within the leaders pit stop ranges as well, meaning that they will be unable to make a pit stop comfortably.
Overall, after Norris and Verstappen will likely duel in the opening sector a number of times, I think they will collide again, this time in a minor way, that will still result in both of them pitting. Oscar Piastri will therefore inherit the lead of the race, and I believe he will take his maiden Grand Prix victory, with Russell and Hamilton closing him down.
What are your predictions for the Hungarian GP? let us know in the comments!
Session Times - UK Time
Friday - FP1: 12:30pm - 13:30pm FP2: 16:00pm - 17:00pm
Saturday - FP3: 11:30am - 12:30pm Qualifying: 15:00pm - 16:00pm
Sunday - Grand Prix: 14:00
Where to Watch?
UK viewers can watch all the action on Sky Sports F1, or with NOW TV.
U.S viewers will be able to find the racing action on ESPN.
European and other global viewers can watch the Austrian Grand Prix on F1 TV.
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