You have to know that about the Hungarian Grand Prix

Created: 07/28/2022, 05:01

Can Max Verstappen still be stopped on the way to his second world title?

© Manu Fernandez/AP/dpa

The next Formula 1 title duel between world champion Max Verstappen and challenger Charles Leclerc awaits in Budapest.

Or can the record world champion intervene in the fight for victory?

Budapest – For the 13th of 22 rounds of the season, Formula 1 is going to hot Budapest.

On the Hungaroring just outside the Hungarian capital, world champion Max Verstappen wants to further expand his world championship lead on Sunday (3 p.m. / Sky) and then say goodbye to a short vacation.

While Ferrari hopes to catch up with Charles Leclerc, Budapest specialist Lewis Hamilton could also intervene in the fight for victory.

Can Verstappen be stopped on the way to the title?

63 points ahead of Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari in the overall World Championship standings may sound like a lot, but with ten races left it can be gone very quickly.

After all, Leclerc was already more than 40 points ahead of Verstappen early in the year and was supposedly on the best way to becoming champion.

"We still have a lot of work ahead of us," said Verstappen.

Especially when counting on just one lap, Ferrari still has a clear advantage and usually achieves the better results in qualifying.

So far, the 24-year-old Verstappen has never won in the heat of Budapest.

How is Leclerc handling his failure in France?

The Ferrari star was hard on himself.

The 24-year-old from Monaco called his driving mistake last Sunday “unacceptable” and he had to stop this mistake.

There was also a lot of criticism of the World Cup challenger from the outside.

Losing the lead while in the lead is particularly bitter, he said himself. Despite this, the Scuderia are combative before the last race before a good three-week summer break.

Team boss Mattia Binotto has announced a double success for Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz as the goal: "We are still fully convinced of our package."

Is Hamilton's first win of the year possible?

"I love Budapest, the city, the atmosphere," said the Briton before the trip to Hungary.

With eight wins and eight pole positions, the 37-year-old is more successful at the Hungaroring than anyone else. Three third places and one second place recently indicate an upward trend.

Hungary is Mercedes country - and yet a victory should only be possible if Red Bull or Ferrari make a mistake.

The Silver Arrow is probably still not strong enough to win on its own.

Record world champion Hamilton has been waiting for the 104th triumph of his career for 13 races.

He has won at least one Grand Prix in every year of his career since 2007 - except 2022.

What can German drivers expect?

After his disappointing 15th place and an overall weak weekend in France, Mick Schumacher is aiming for World Championship points again.

"I expect that we are very strong here," said the 23-year-old Haas driver.

Former world champion Sebastian Vettel has mixed memories of Budapest.

Last year, the Hessian actually made it to second place behind sensational winner Esteban Ocon in the Alpine, but was disqualified after a crazy Grand Prix because there was not enough fuel in the tank at the finish.

After eleventh place in the last race in Le Castellet, the 35-year-old also wants to score points in the Aston Martin.

dpa