Formula 1 swings back into gear this weekend and as tensions continue to boil under between Mercedes and Red Bull, the Hungarian Grand Prix could turn the temperature up further in the paddock.
Despite having seen his World Drivers’ Championship advantage diminish to just seven points after his controversial crash with Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone, Max Verstappen remains race favourite in Hungary.
Though the Dutchman is yet to win at the Hungaroring in five attempts during his career, both MansionBet and Betway are offering a price of 10/11 for Verstappen to return to the winner’s enclosure.
But how could one count out Lewis Hamilton?
Reinvigorated after his win a fortnight ago in front of home support, the Briton has won in Hungary for the last three years and has a phenomenal seven wins at the Hungaroring in total. Hamilton remains a real lurker at 11/8 this weekend, again with Betway.
Ferrari are slowly coming up on the rails this term for race pace meanwhile, and after Charles Leclerc saw a British GP win snatched from him, many fancy Scuderia to do very well. Team boss Mattia Binotto is bullish of their chances also, and for either Leclerc or Carlos Sainz Jr. to win on Sunday as a team, you will find a sizeable 12/1 price with PaddyPower and Betfair to take the chequered flag. For a podium finish alone and to back up his P2 in Britain, Leclerc is 2/1 with VBet.
A little further down the field, Fernando Alonso has enjoyed his return to F1 with Alpine and has finished in the points for the last five races on the spin. As winner in Hungary during 2003, the Spaniard’s chances of a second victory 19 years on look a nigh-on impossibility, however, a second P6 of the season looks eminently more feasible and at 7/2 value with William Hill, Alonso might see some movement before race day.
If a points finish is more your style however, fans of George Russell will again pin their mast to the King’s Lynn driver, and to finally end his points drought for Williams, all major bookies hold 6/4 odds on the Mercedes-elect driver in Hungary.
