Lewis Hamilton is heading to Hungary on a high note, having just claimed victory at Silverstone. This win marks his first since 2021, and now the spotlight is on him to see if he can keep the momentum going.
Hamilton’s history at the Hungaroring certainly works in his favor. He’s won there eight times, with his most recent victory in 2020. Even when his Mercedes car wasn’t at its best, he managed to secure pole position last season. With the W15 finally giving Mercedes a competitive edge again, Hamilton is optimistic about making it two wins in a row this weekend.
While Hamilton is riding high, McLaren is looking to turn things around after a series of costly mistakes at Silverstone. A decision not to double stack their drivers resulted in a missed opportunity for Oscar Piastri, and a questionable tire choice for Lando Norris left him in P3 instead of potentially taking the win. McLaren knows they need to tighten up their strategy if they want to compete with the top teams, and this weekend will be a critical test.
Over at Red Bull, all eyes are on Sergio Perez. Max Verstappen’s casual mention of Daniel Ricciardo at Goodwood has fans speculating about Perez’s future with the team. Perez hasn’t finished higher than seventh since May and hasn’t seen a podium since April. The pressure is on as Red Bull bosses have started to voice their concerns publicly. Helmut Marko has hinted that the next two races will be crucial for Perez’s career with Red Bull. Any more poor performances could spell the end of his time with the team.
Aston Martin is also in the spotlight as they bring significant upgrades to Hungary. However, the AMR24 has struggled on tracks with high temperatures, like Imola and Monaco. The cooler conditions in Canada and Silverstone suited them better, but with high temperatures expected this weekend, it’s uncertain how they’ll perform. Aston Martin’s progress in development is crucial if they hope to stay competitive this season.
Ferrari is another team looking to bounce back this weekend. The SF-24 showed promise but has struggled on recent circuits. The Hungaroring, with its high downforce and mechanical grip, offers Ferrari a chance to compete with Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes. Charles Leclerc, in particular, needs a strong performance to stay in the fight for P2 in the Drivers’ Standings. Poor performance could see Ferrari lose P2 in the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren.
As the Hungarian GP approaches, the stakes are high for many drivers and teams. Hamilton aims to continue his resurgence, McLaren seeks redemption, Perez fights for his Red Bull career, Aston Martin hopes their upgrades pay off, and Ferrari looks to regain their footing. It promises to be an action-packed weekend with plenty of drama and excitement.
Source: Planetf1
