Perhaps parity is finally back here in Formula 1, as there have been five different winners in the last seven races. Will we see a new one emerge from the shadows this weekend? We’ll see, but for sure, Formula 1 fans are in for a fun one here at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Mercedes come into this race with high confidence because their two drivers, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, won the last two races in Red Bull Ring and Silverstone.
The Silver Arrows will hope to sustain their momentum here in Hungaroring, as they still have a long way to go to catch up with McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull in the constructors’ standings.
Red Bull are still at the top of the pile, but that might not be the case for too long if not everyone is doing their part.
Hamilton could make history anew with Mercedes
Since improving the W15 at May’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and installing a new front wing in Monaco, Mercedes have been on a roll, and they are fancying their chances this weekend.
At Red Bull Ring, George Russell capitalised on a late clash between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris to snatch his first win since the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, and we all know what happened next at Silverstone.
Lewis Hamilton reminded the world of his Formula 1 credentials with a superb performance in the British Grand Prix, despite the changeable track conditions. It was a momentous occasion for the seven-time world champion because it not only ended a drought of 945 days, but it also set a record for most victories in a single venue (9).
The last time Hamilton poled was in the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix. And if the Hungarian Grand Prix 2024 results come his way, he will achieve another personal milestone because he’ll be able to match his new record of nine victories at one circuit that he achieved at Silverstone since he’s on eight so far in Hungaroring.
However, despite their recent upturn in form with two poles, four podiums, and two wins in the last four race weekends, team principal Toto Wolff said that Mercedes must not get carried away, although he agreed that the team is “clearly back” in the title mix.
Pressure mounting on Perez
Red Bull have been feeling the pressure in recent weeks as their rivals are closing in on them. Max Verstappen is doing his part by hauling in a lot of points, but it’s clear that he cannot do it all alone for the Milton Keynes outfit.
After a strong start to the 2024 season, followed by his two-year contract extension signed in June, teammate Sergio Perez has been off the mark in recent races. Checo has fallen to sixth in the drivers’ standings because he has failed to secure a podium finish in seven consecutive races.
During the said stretch, the 34-year-old has recorded one P4, one P7, one P17, two P8s, and consecutive DNFs in Monaco and Canada, which is far from acceptable for Red Bull’s lofty standards.
Sergio Perez desperately needs a spark, although it’s worth noting that he has been in good form at Hungaroring since he finished P3 here last year.
History
Despite being known as Red Bull territory, it is Lewis Hamilton who is the winningest driver in Hungaroring with eight wins, although his last one is in 2020.
It was also at the Hungarian Grand Prix that George Russell won his first-ever pole and Esteban Ocon notched his maiden Formula 1 victory in 2021.
The last four editions of the Hungarian Grand Prix saw the Silver Arrows take four pole positions (three for Hamilton and one for Russell), but Max Verstappen has won the last two.
Last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix saw the Formula 1 comeback of Daniel Ricciardo under AlphaTauri (now known as Visa Cash App RB Formula 1 Team), where the Aussie driver finished 13th on the grid.
What are the odds?
The SBOTOP Hungarian Grand Prix 2024 odds are still favouring Max Verstappen, but the defending Formula 1 champion’s margin for error is not that big anymore as he is priced at 1.55 compared to 1.92 against any other driver.
Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are likely to vie for the podium spots at 1.62 and 1.80, respectively, given their recent form.
However, you cannot completely rule out Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr., and Oscar Piastri, given their prices of 2.02, 2.17, 2.25, and 2.36.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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