Hungarian Grand Prix 2019
The Formula 1 season is headed toward its month-long summer break. But before that, there’s still the not-so-small matter of the Hungarian Grand Prix to get to.
After a rather one-sided start to the Formula 1 season, things have finally begun to pick up in recent races, which have produced unexpected results. Last weekend’s German Grand Prix, in particular, was a classic.
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will be desperate to go into the intermission on a high after their disastrous run at Hockenheim. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen will be out to score yet another win after picking up a couple in the last few weeks.
Allow SBOBET to break down whether there will be more of the same excitement or a return to the usual dominance for Hamilton, as Hungarian Grand Prix 2019 odds foresee.
Talking Points
Mercedes, Hamilton hoping to bounce back
If people thought Hamilton had a bad outing in Austria, then Germany was an utter disaster. The reigning world champion was leading comfortably and looked on course for another victory, but his costly error sent him crashing out of contention.
But Hamilton is a pretty resilient character. He bounced back from his disappointment in Austria to win his home Grand Prix at Silverstone, where he now owns the most wins all-time. And the Hungaroring will be another perfect track for him to get back to winning ways.
Hamilton also owns the most wins all-time in Hungary with six, and he should be as motivated as can be to add to that tally.
Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas is also looking to redeem himself after his first retirement of the season. The Swiss had been the most consistent driver on the grid prior to the race. Bottas did earn a podium finish in his first season with Mercedes back in 2017, and a repeat of that result is very much in play.
Verstappen eager for more victories
Max Verstappen has gotten that sweet taste of victory in recent weeks, and he wants more. The Dutch driver has capitalised on Hamilton’s mishaps to claim two wins in the last three races.
Verstappen doesn’t have an amazing record at the Hungaroring, though. Since switching over to Red Bull, he has finished fifth twice and retired early in last year’s race due to a loss of power.
Nevertheless, the Hungaroring is generally considered a track well-suited to Red Bull, so if Verstappen can avoid the bad luck he had last year, he should stand a decent chance of adding to his growing number of wins this season.
Ferrari fightback
Aside from Verstappen’s victory, the biggest story of the German Grand Prix was Sebastian Vettel’s sensational David Coulthard-inspired drive, coming from the very back of the grid all the way up to second. It was a tremendous performance from the four-time world champion and showed what he’s still capable of.
However, Vettel must produce those types of performances more consistently, which he has been unable to do thus far. But the Hungaroring is a track where the German has thrived with two wins over the past four years.
His Ferrari team-mate, Charles Leclerc, had been the picture of consistency prior to his crash in Germany. As a result, the young Monegasque’s streak of four consecutive podium finishes came to an end. But he’s shown he’s more than capable of performing at that high level, so he will be one to watch for some Hungarian Grand Prix 2019 highlights.
History
Hamilton has the most ever Hungarian Grand Prix wins with six, two more than Michael Schumacher. He also has six poles and can equal Schumi’s record of seven.
Vettel has challenged Hamilton’s dominance of the track in recent years. The German has won in 2015 and 2017, with Hamilton claiming wins in 2016 and 2018.
Aside from Hamilton and Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo are the other two drivers who have a win in Hungary on their resumes.
In fact, Alfa Romeo’s Raikkonen has had nine podium appearances in Hungary, more than any driver. He has also had four fastest laps.
What are the odds?
Unsurprisingly, SBOBET odds see Hamilton as the favourite to win at 2.00. But right behind him at a close second is Verstappen at 3.20. Clearly, those two wins have done a lot to raise the Red Bull driver’s profile among bettors.
However, don’t discount Vettel, who is priced at 8.00. The German has won this race two of the past four years, and his performance in his home Grand Prix last week proves he still has special performances in him. If there’s someone capable of crashing the Hamilton-Verstappen party, it’s him.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FORMULA 1 STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
