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Preview: Hungarian Grand Prix - track guide, prediction, race preview

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, including predictions, a track guide and qualifying results.

Fresh from a race victory in France, World Championship leader Max Verstappen will look to extend his 63-point lead at the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend.

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc is currently in second place, but after failing to finish last weekend, he will need a positive result on Sunday to get his title bid back on track.


Race preview

Max Verstappen atop the podium on June 19, 2022© Reuters

After putting his Ferrari on pole position and holding off an early charge from Verstappen in the race, Leclerc would have been confident of clinching back-to-back victories last weekend.

However, a mistake on lap 18 resulted in Leclerc losing control of his car, which travelled into the barrier and subsequently ended his race.

Leclerc's error was to the benefit of Verstappen, who drove a faultless race to claim his seventh win of the season.

With Verstappen now 63 points clear of his title rivals and 10 races remaining, the Dutchman remains on course to win consecutive world titles.

As for Leclerc, he will try to bounce back this weekend, while his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz Jr will look to build upon an impressive performance in France, which saw the Spaniard make his way from the back of the grid to fifth place.

Sebastian Vettel pictured on July 28, 2022© Reuters

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, is experiencing a promising run of results after finishing on the podium in the last four races.

The seven-time world champion achieved his best result of the season last weekend - with a second-placed finish - and he now has the chance to clinch a podium place for the sixth time in 2022.

George Russell also enjoyed a successful afternoon in France after overtaking Sergio Perez in the closing stages to claim his fourth podium finish of the season.

While both Mercedes drivers celebrated a positive race, Perez was left to ponder an underwhelming fourth-placed finish, which followed a DNF in Austria, with Red Bull requiring an improved performance from the Mexican this weekend.

Elsewhere on the grid, Sebastian Vettel will compete in his first Grand Prix since announcing his decision to retire at the end of the season.


Track Guide

Lewis Hamilton pictured on June 12, 2022© Reuters

After experiencing a number of long straights at Circuit Paul Ricard, Formula 1 heads to the tight and twisty track of the Hungaroring.

The circuit delivers 14 corners that not only tests the skill of the drivers, but also the nimbleness of the cars.

A favourite with the drivers to fly around on qualifying day, the Hungaroring can sometimes prove difficult to overtake when it comes to the race.

If overtakes are to occur, then the two DRS zones - which are situated on the pit straight and from turn one up to the second corner - will provide some of the best opportunities for a move to be made.

Esteban Ocon celebrates winning the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 1, 2021© Reuters

Sunday's race has a tough act to follow after Esteban Ocon claimed a dramatic victory at the Hungaroring in 2021.

As well as Ocon, Fernando Alonso, Daniel Ricciardo, Hamilton and Vettel have all won the Hungarian Grand Prix over the years.

Hamilton is the most successful Formula 1 driver at the track, with eight wins in Hungary to his name, although a ninth victory may prove tricky if Ferrari and Red Bull are on form.

Meanwhile, championship protagonists Verstappen and Leclerc will be aiming to stand on the top step in Hungary for the first time in their careers.


Qualifying Results

George Russell celebrates taking pole on July 30, 2022© Reuters

1. George Russell (Mercedes)
2. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
4. Lando Norris (McLaren)
5. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
6. Fernando Alonso (Alpine)
7. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
8. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)
9. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
10. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
11. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
12. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
13. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
14. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri)
15. Mick Schumacher (Haas)
16. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)
17. Alexander Albon (Williams)
18. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)
19. Nicholas Latifi (Williams)
20. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

An entertaining qualifying session culminated with Russell securing a surprise pole position ahead of Sainz and Leclerc, who will start in second and third place respectively.

The British driver produced a stunning lap in the final run of Q3 to take pole for the first time of his Formula 1 career.

While Russell will start at the front of the grid, his Mercedes teammate Hamilton will lineup up in seventh place after an issue with his car's DRS prevented the seven-time champion from setting a lap time on fresh tyres in Q3.

Meanwhile, Red Bull experienced a difficult afternoon that saw Perez fail to progress from Q2 while Verstappen was hindered by a loss of power, which resulted in the championship leader qualifying in 10th position.

Red Bull may have struggled, but Norris certainly did not, with the McLaren driver placing his car on the second row for Sunday's Grand Prix.


Driver Standings

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 233
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 170
3. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) - 163
4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) - 144
5. George Russell (Mercedes) - 143
6. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - 127
7. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 70
8. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) - 56
9. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) - 46
10. Fernando Alonso (Alpine) - 37
11. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) - 22
12. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) - 19
13. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) - 16
14. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) - 15
15. Mick Schumacher (Haas) - 12
16. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) - 11
17. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo) - 5
18. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 4
19. Alexander Albon (Williams) - 3
20. Nicholas Latifi (Williams) - 0
21. Nico Hulkenberg (Aston Martin) - 0


Constructor Standings

1. Red Bull - 396
2. Ferrari - 314
3. Mercedes - 270
4. McLaren - 89
5. Alpine - 93
6. Alfa Romeo - 51
7. Haas - 34
8. AlphaTauri - 27
9. Aston Martin - 19
10. Williams - 3


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We say: Charles Leclerc to win

Leclerc will be determined to make amends for his mistake in France, and with the Hungaroring expected to suit Ferrari's car, we think that Leclerc will win on Sunday to close the gap to Verstappen in the world championship.

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Charles Leclerc celebrates winning the Austrian Grand Prix on July 10, 2022.
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