Hungary GP: Mercedes and Red Bull Face-Off

As the Hungarian Grand Prix approaches, anticipation builds for a thrilling face-off between F1 titans Hamilton and Verstappen, spotlighted by expert predictions.

After several intensely busy weeks for the teams, everyone returned to their home bases following the race at the Silverstone circuit. With a week without a Grand Prix, teams will begin arriving at the Hungaroring from Thursday.

The race in Hungary is the penultimate before the entire grid goes on a summer break, so a crushing impression must be left. Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde shares his prediction.

On The Race Show podcast, Van der Garde, alongside Joost Hofman, discusses everything happening in the world of Formula 1.

After the Mercedes team claimed victories in Austria and Great Britain, the big question is how the German squad will perform in Hungary.

Meanwhile, the competition from Red Bull Racing is increasingly on their heels. Van der Garde notes a difference between Red Bull and one of its competitors.

Two teams will battle in Hungary. The 2024 season initially did not start smoothly for the Mercedes team. After ending 2023 without victories, it seemed the tide had not yet turned for the German squad.

However, the opposite proved true. After various updates to the W15, the two Mercedes drivers managed to position their silver cars further ahead. Russell was the first to firmly put the Mercedes team back on the map by taking the win in Spielberg. A week later, Hamilton won at Silverstone.

Naturally, the Mercedes team has gained considerable confidence after two consecutive victories. Van der Garde expects the German squad to perform well in Budapest.

“It’s a circuit that suits Hamilton very well. A circuit that suits Mercedes very well. So I just expect them to compete for that victory,” says the former F1 driver. “I mean, Hamilton drove pole position last year with a car that was not at all good.”

While Mercedes seems to have recently found its form, the McLaren team has been on a serious upswing for some time. The British team has proven several times that it can closely chase Red Bull.

Hofman asks Van der Garde if Mercedes will now also surpass McLaren. “No, definitely not,” answers Van der Garde. However, he expects the toughest battle this weekend to be between those two teams.

“If you look at the history of this circuit, I think a McLaren with Norris and a Hamilton with Mercedes will be very strong this weekend. Verstappen is obviously in a good position. But I expect a very strong Mercedes and a very strong Norris. I think those two will fight,” predicts Van der Garde.

“It’s a typical circuit that just suits McLaren very well. It has a bit of medium-speed corners, long turns.” One thing he is sure of: of the two McLaren drivers, Norris will perform best in Hungary.

The Red Bull Problem

Van der Garde notes that the Budapest circuit is characterized by ‘long turns’. Of the fourteen corners it features, two are hairpin turns where drivers must make a 180-degree turn.

This feature suits Mercedes, believes the former F1 driver. “With those long turns, you need a car that is sharp at the front, that continues to turn well, can rotate well in such a corner.”

At the same time, those long turns could pose problems for the Red Bull team. “Lately, you see at Red Bull that this is the problem. Their car does not turn enough in those corners. They are very good at high speeds. Here, of course, you have two very fast corners, but the rest are more medium and low speed. There you just see that Mercedes and McLaren are just a bit better,” says Van der Garde.

Who does the former driver think will win? “Hamilton,” he responds decisively.

“Especially since he won at Silverstone. He’s received a nice boost. Also, we know he always performs well at this circuit. He’s going to believe in himself again. Yes, I expect him to be very strong here.”