Formula 1: What to watch for in the 2018 Hungarian Grand Prix
By Kevin Nguyen
The Hungaroring is a Formula 1 venue that isn’t prone to surprises, but will there be any surprises this year before the summer break?
The Hungaroring is one of the few remaining pure racing tracks on the Formula 1 calendar. With its sweeping corners, elevation changes and a penchant for pushing cars to their absolute limit it is no surprise that the 2.722-mile (4.381-kilometer) circuit in Budapest, Hungary is both a fan and driver favorite.
The latter point is why F1 fans and pundits should pay attention to the Hungary in-season test, as teams will be collecting as much data as they can just before the summer break to improve their cars for the second half of the season.
However, before all of that, a race is to take place on Sunday — the 33rd edition of the Hungarian Grand Prix. After a dramatic German Grand Prix and a return to the status quo, there’s plenty to talk about before the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Mindsets of Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton
Heading into race day at Hockenheim, Sebastian Vettel was feeling pretty good, but the post-German Grand Prix reactions must be taking a toll on the four-time world champion, despite what he says.
The Italian media have turned on him. He is 17 points adrift of rival Lewis Hamilton and another poor race result could see him lose the driver championship battle before the summer break.
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It is imperative that Vettel does well in Hungary, not just for his own championship hopes but for Ferrari’s constructor championship hopes. He needs to regroup in Hungary, and fast. Fortunately, the German has won in Hungary twice. Unfortunately, Hamilton has won in Hungary five times. Vettel needs to recover in Hungary or else he’ll have an uphill battle in the second half of the season.
For Hamilton, a P2 finish after being shuffled back to P19 in Great Britain and a win after starting in P14 in Germany have him in the driver seat once more in the championship fight. He tends to do very well in the post-summer break races, so the bigger points gap he can create over his nearest rival before the summer break, the better he’ll be in the second half of the season.
Watch for both drivers to push in Hungary, Vettel to regain confidence and Hamilton to create a cushion to distance himself from Vettel.
Midfield battles
Due to a lack of funds, Sahara Force India have been at the center numerous of “for sale” rumors and have seen their form drop and as a result. They are tied for fifth place in the constructor standings with Haas after two consecutive seasons of finishing in fourth as the “best of the rest”
With Renault Sport now the “best of the rest”, the midfield battle is an intense one. With the Hungaroring featuring the two of the top three midfield teams on similar tire strategies, it’ll be interesting to see if Haas can overtake the struggling Force India and whether or not Renault can continue their recent run of Q3 starts and points finishes with an aggressive tire strategy.
It is worth looking at the top three teams in the midfield because of so many rumors of potential drivers swaps among them for 2019.
Charles Leclerc’s recovery
Vettel is not the only Ferrari-backed driver feeling pressure ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Ferrari junior Charles Leclerc will look to rebound after a retirement at Silverstone and a disappointing P15 finish at the Hockenheimring. Leclerc is thought to be the favorite for Kimi Raikkonen’s seat should Ferrari let the Finn go. A strong recovery drive in Budapest could help to solidify his place at the Prancing Horse in 2019.
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As drivers and teams get ready for summer, the action on the track is as hot as ever. With a head-to-head battle up front, position battles in the midfield and a driver to watch among the backmarkers, Hungary is set to provide a show before F1’s summer break.