“Anticipation” is a good word to describe the mood as teams prepare to compete in Budapest.
A bunch of twists, turns, and a short lap, along with a good number of high temperatures, will greet the Formula 1 team and drivers this weekend as the Hungarian Grand Prix takes place at the famed Hungaroring circuit just outside of the capital, Budapest.
The Hungaroring circuit was first used in the mid-1980s when it was the only race in the Iron Curtain of Eastern Bloc countries. Now, the race has changed along with the fact that the former system has gone, and the country is a member of the NATO alliance. The circuit remains on the F1 calendar, and a number of drivers, including Damon Hill, Fernando Alonso, and Esteban Ocon, won their first career race here.
While Max Verstappen still leads the world championship going into this race, the 13th round of the season, competition is beginning to close on the Dutchman. Lewis Hamilton won his first race at his home ground, the British Grand Prix. Teammate George Russell won before that, and Lando Norris has been strong recently.
The track itself may have a big say in who wins on Sunday. There will be a substantial amount of downforce due to the circuit, and it has only one straight at the beginning of the race. This circuit is described to many as a go-kart track and is the second slowest circuit on the calendar, next to Monaco and its traditional street circuit. In the last few seasons of this event, it has not always been the heat that has played a part, but also the chance of rain, which in some instances has played a part in deciding the outcome.
Verstappen won this race last season in his dominant year, but if any other driver can make a difference in this event, it will be Hamilton, who holds the record here with eight victories and nine poles.
It all makes for an exciting race weekend. Will Verstappen re-seize the championship? Or can one of his challengers seize the day?
