Title: Exciting Battles and Surprises Await at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Introduction:
The qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix was filled with excitement as Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole position of the year, leaving Max Verstappen behind. However, the race day promises even more thrilling moments as these two fierce competitors go head-to-head at Turn 1. Additionally, McLaren’s resurgence, Alfa Romeo’s surprising performance, and George Russell’s climb from behind are all factors that add intrigue to the upcoming race. Let’s delve deeper into these storylines and explore what the Hungarian Grand Prix has in store for Formula 1 fans.
1. Hamilton vs Verstappen at Turn 1:
The intense battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen has been a highlight of the 2021 season, with both drivers refusing to give an inch in their pursuit of the championship title. While Verstappen emerged victorious last year, Mercedes faced car concept issues, hindering Hamilton’s chances. In 2022, Hamilton has struggled to challenge his younger rival due to the machinery’s limitations. However, Hamilton’s pole position in Hungary suggests a potential shift in fortunes.
Although it remains uncertain whether Hamilton’s W14 will maintain its pace against Verstappen’s Red Bull in race conditions, one thing is certain: both drivers will fiercely compete for position at the first corner. Hamilton’s clinical and uncompromising approach combined with Verstappen’s determination guarantees an unmissable battle during the opening stages of the race.
2. Resurgent McLaren lurking in row 2:
While Hamilton and Verstappen dominate the front row, McLaren has made a strong resurgence, securing the second row with Lando Norris outpacing his rookie teammate Oscar Piastri. McLaren’s car underwent significant redesign after a slow start to the season, which paid off with improved performances in Austria and Silverstone. Despite not expecting to be as competitive in Hungary, Norris’s podium finish at Silverstone and their strong showing in qualifying indicate their potential for another strong performance.
With Hamilton and Verstappen starting side by side ahead of them, Norris and Piastri are well-positioned to capitalize on any conflicts between the front-runners. McLaren’s resurgence suggests they have the pace to challenge for a podium spot, making them a team to watch during the race.
3. Will Alpha be able to keep up?
Alfa Romeo’s qualifying results emerged as a surprise at the Hungaroring, with the team sitting second in the standings with only nine points after 10 races. A highly-anticipated upgrade package in the previous race at Silverstone failed to deliver the desired results, leaving Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu outside the top 10. However, signs of improvement were evident during Q1 in Hungary, as both drivers set fast lap times from the start.
Ultimately, Bottas secured a seventh-place grid position, while Zhou achieved a career-high qualifying position of fifth, his first Q3 appearance this year. The question now is whether Alfa Romeo can convert their lofty grid positions into valuable points during the race. Their unexpected performance in qualifying has certainly raised eyebrows and adds an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming contest.
4. What can Russell do from behind?
In a disappointing turn of events, George Russell, Mercedes’ driver, was knocked out in Q1, leaving him starting from 18th on the grid. Russell expressed frustration with traffic hampering his final flying lap, especially considering the potential for strong performances in the W14, which has shown better race pace than in qualifying this season. However, the tight and twisty nature of the Hungaroring circuit will present challenges for Russell as he attempts to make his way up the field.
Given his impressive previous pole position at this race, Russell will rely on his determination and skill to execute overtakes and gain crucial positions. While a podium finish may be a long shot, Russell’s goal will be to salvage as many points as possible, making him a driver to watch as he strives to overcome the setback.
5. The return of Ricciardo:
Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the Formula 1 grid after an absence since November 2022 is a significant event to watch on race day. The Australian driver, known for his infectious smile, will be competing for AlphaTauri and aiming to replicate his past success. Ricciardo’s victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2014 is still remembered, although achieving a similar feat in his first race for AlphaTauri would be a remarkable achievement.
In qualifying, Ricciardo’s performance caught the attention of Red Bull bosses, as he advanced to Q2 and outperformed his new teammate Yuki Tsunoda. While securing points would be a satisfying outcome for Ricciardo’s return, fans would also relish witnessing some of his characteristic daring overtakes. The Hungarian Grand Prix offers the perfect stage for Ricciardo to remind everyone of his capability and bring smiles not only to his face but also his newfound team.
Conclusion:
The Hungarian Grand Prix promises an exhilarating race with intense battles, surprising performances, and the return of a familiar face to the grid. The showdown between Hamilton and Verstappen at Turn 1 is bound to set pulses racing, while McLaren’s resurgence and Alfa Romeo’s unexpected qualifying results add further intrigue to the competition. Meanwhile, George Russell aims to overcome adversity, and Daniel Ricciardo seeks a triumphant comeback. With numerous captivating storylines unfolding, Formula 1 fans are in for a thrilling race at the Hungaroring.
Summary:
The Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session saw Lewis Hamilton claim his first pole position of the year, outpacing Max Verstappen. However, the race day promises even more excitement, with the battle between Hamilton and Verstappen at Turn 1 being a focal point. McLaren’s resurgence and their strong qualifying performance hints at their podium potential, while Alfa Romeo’s surprising qualifying results raise questions about their ability to convert grid positions into points. George Russell’s disappointment in qualifying adds uncertainty, while Daniel Ricciardo’s return to racing after a hiatus brings excitement and anticipation. The Hungarian Grand Prix guarantees thrilling battles and surprises that will keep Formula 1 fans on the edge of their seats.
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Qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix was an exciting affair, as Lando Norris threatened to go better than last time at Silverstone and take pole position, before Lewis Hamilton stormed to take his first pole position of the year ahead of Max Verstappen. But now everyone’s eyes are on race day, so here’s what to look out for when the lights go out at the Hungaroring…
1. Hamilton vs Verstappen at Turn 1
The 2021 season saw a brutal and no-holds-barred championship fight between Hamilton and Verstappen, with neither willing to give an inch in their battle for the crown.
READ MORE: Hamilton beats Verstappen and Norris for pole at Hungarian GP in qualifying thriller
In the end, Verstappen won, alone, but then Mercedes got their car concept wrong, and in 2022 Hamilton simply didn’t have the machinery to seriously challenge his young rival.
Indeed, Hamilton hasn’t tasted victory since that 2021 season, and hadn’t taken pole, either, until he stunned the field to knock Verstappen out of top spot and claim P1 at the Hungaroring on Saturday.
Whether his W14 will have the pace to hold off Verstappen’s Red Bull in race conditions remains to be seen, but one thing we do know about these two of their previous head-to-heads is that neither will budge an inch when it comes to competing against each other for position.
Even if Hamilton doesn’t have the speed to fend off his Dutch rival for the full distance of the race, you can’t imagine him being anything other than clinically uncompromising at the first corner, and the same can be expected of Verstappen. The race to turn 1 is going to be unmissable…
Qualifying Hungarian GP 2023: Lewis Hamilton crosses the line to seal sensational pole position at the Hungaroring
2. Resurgent McLaren lurking in row 2
So it’s Hamilton and Verstappen in P1 and P2, but just behind them McLaren have closed the second row with Lando Norris two tenths quicker than his rookie teammate Oscar Piastri.
It’s an excellent effort for a team that was nowhere to be found at the start of the season, and which embarked on a major redesign of its car once it became clear it had gotten its concept wrong.
The improvements they brought to Austria and Silverstone gave them a big boost up the order, and while they didn’t expect to be as competitive this weekend in Hungary, qualifying proved Norris’s podium finish last time out at Silverstone was no fluke, and they will be aiming for another trip to the grandstand on Sunday.
And with old rivals Verstappen and Hamilton starting side-by-side ahead of them, Norris and Piastri will be ready to pick up the pieces should the battle between the two front-row starters break out again.
3. Will Alpha be able to keep up?
But while McLaren’s performance may have come as a surprise to many in the paddock, Alfa Romeo’s qualifying results were certainly the surprise of the day at the Hungaroring.
After 10 races in 2023, they sit second in the standings with just nine points, and a much-anticipated upgrade package brought to the last race at Silverstone fell through in that race, as Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu again finished outside the top 10.
But even in Q1 in Budapest there were signs that the upgraded C43 might be better suited to the Hungaroring, with Bottas and Zhou setting fast laps from the start.
Eventually they both made it to Q3 with Bottas in P7 and Zhou, who hadn’t made Q3 all this year, in a career best qualifying position of P5.
The question is: can they turn their lofty grid positions into points on Sunday?
4. What can Russell do from behind?
While half of the Mercedes garage cheered on Saturday afternoon as Hamilton took a stunning pole position, the other half were left with grim faces when George Russell was knocked out in Q1.
The British driver flew into a rage after traffic hampered his final flying lap, leaving him 18th on the grid, with team boss Toto Wolff banging his desk in frustration.
It’s an irritating letdown for Russell, who took pole position at this race last year, especially as he said afterwards that he knew there was pace in the W14 to fight for a repeat of his P1 from last season.
The Mercedes has tended to be better on race day than in qualifying this year, so you’ll be hoping to work your way up the order when lights out, but the Hungaroring is no Silverstone, and the tight and twisty nature of the track means Russell will have to work hard to get the overtakes he needs to score big scores this weekend.
2023 Hungarian GP standings: Wolff furious as Russell knocked out in Q1
5. The return of Ricciardo
Keep an eye out before the race to see Daniel Ricciardo smile on the grid at the Hungaroring.
The Aussie, of course, is predisposed to flashing a smile (even in tough times), but it could go a bit wider as he prepares for his first Grand Prix since last November on Sunday.
HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the qualifying action in Budapest as Hamilton takes the latest pole position
Honey Badger won here in 2014, and while it would be a small miracle if he managed to repeat that in his first race for AlphaTauri this weekend, his performance in qualifying will not have gone unnoticed by the Red Bull bosses, as he not only made it through to Q2, but also edged out new teammate Yuki Tsunoda at the first question.
Points would be the icing on the cake for Ricciardo’s return to racing, as would one or two of his old trademark ‘lick the stamp and send it’ overtaking moves. Imagine how wide that smile would be then…
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.hamilton-vs-verstappen-into-turn-1-and-ricciardos-racing-return-what-to.1jR4mMQlyC8Rax5NGpYt5o.html
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