The pendulum
that is Formula 1 has continue to swing in 2024. From Ferrari dominance in
Monaco to narrow wins for Max Verstappen to two unexpected race wins, in a row,
for Mercedes. On this evidence there’s no telling them what might happen at
this weekend’s Hungarian grand prix.
The Hungarian
grand prix has been a staple on the F1 calendar since 1986 and has delivered
many unforgettable races in its tenure. The Hungaroring circuit, near Budapest,
is a twisty layout often referred to as Monaco without the barriers because of
its low and medium-speed nature. It doesn’t offer many overtaking opportunities
which makes qualifying crucial and race strategy a key component. In the past,
the undercut has worked wonders for the likes of Hamilton who hunted down
Verstappen in 2019 to take a memorable win.
Some of the most
memorable races at the Hungaroring includes Damon Hill’s near-win in the
uncompetitive Arrows, only to lose it on the last lap to Jacques Villeneuve.
It’s also the venue where Jenson Button won his first ever race in 2006 after
starting from 14th on the grid. Daniel Ricciardo’s 2014 victory was
one full of incidents and changing conditions while Esteban Ocon took a
surprise win in 2021 following Valtteri Bottas’s first-corner melee that took
out nearly all of the top contenders.
The narrow and
winding nature of the track often sees it compared to a karting track. At
roughly 4.3 kms in length it features fourteen turns. Unless there is
changeable or wet conditions the only genuine overtaking spot is into turn 1 as
the turns two, three, and four sequences blends into a sweeping combination of
turns just broad enough for one car to negotiate, most of the time. The
Hungaroring provides a special challenge given its combination of slow corners,
traditionally high temperatures, and the close proximity of the barriers.
By all accounts
it should suit the Ferrari, as Monaco did, and it may yet. But given the way
that the Italian team has gone off the boil since that famous Monaco win, there
is no guarantee that they will be able to make a serious go of it this weekend.
However, an opportunity does exist for Ferrari to take some sort of step
forward in Hungary. Red Bull remain vulnerable and still seems to have not
found a solution for their car troubles. While Verstappen did finish second at
Silverstone the majority of the race was a struggle for the reigning champion.
And if McLaren and Lando Norris had made the right call on tyres the complexion
of the race would have looked different. Still, such is the mark of a champion
driver and team – to produce results even when it seems impossible. And there
is no doubt that Red Bull and Verstappen will have to pull out all the stops
again to have a say in Hungary.
And what of
Mercedes? Two wins in the last two races will have boosted the morale of the
team to a whole new level. Add to this that Lewis Hamilton has always had a
great affinity with the Hungaroring and Mercedes is very much part of the
equation for victory this weekend. With potentially four teams in the mix for
the win Formula 1 2024 has been a tantalisingly unpredictable prospect. But
even with the welcome air on unpredictability there is some stock in the belief
that Mercedes might be the best suited car, as it stands, to this track.
