
The Hungarian Grand Prix is the 13th race of the season and Lewis Hamilton is yet to win a race – Will his drought come to an end this weekend?
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Hungarian Grand Prix Predictions & Tips
Let’s get this straight. Lewis Hamilton does not become a bad driver overnight. He is still one of the best ever, but car troubles this season has turned the 2022 campaign into a miserable one.
I have said in the past that I am not a huge Hamilton fan, but you cannot ignore his quality. His determination and vision sets him apart from other drivers. If he can get through the weekend without any mechanical woes, then he will be on the podium in Hungary.
He looked back to his best last weekend in France, but he had to settle for second place with defending champion Max Verstappen claiming his seventh win of the season.
That win is coming for Hamilton, believe me. I am backing him to get that monkey off his back at the Hungaroing.
Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mat George Russell was also outstanding in France as he finished third. I am backing Hamilton, Russell and Verstappen to finish on the podium for the second race running.
I will stick my neck on the line and say Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will be the first driver to retire. He will be determined to make amends for his error that saw him crash out last weekend, but he will go too hard and spin out early in this Grand Prix.
Circuit Guide
The Hungaroring has played host to the Hungarian Grand Prix since it returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 1986. F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone had been aiming to introduce a Russian Grand Prix to the schedule but opted for Hungary instead, and plans for a street circuit were then shelved in 1985 in favour of a new track – Hungaroring – that was built in less than a year and ready for the 1986 season. The circuit is very similar in lay-out to the Monte Carlo street track used for the Monaco Grand Prix, with tight and twisting corners making it difficult to overtake. Conditions are usually hot and dry so drivers also have to battle with what is a notoriously bumpy surface, but that has not prevented it from being a venue that has hosted some memorable races over the years. Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most Hungarian Grand Prix victories after his 2020 success saw him become an eight-time winner. Only one other active driver, Sebastian Vettel, has won this race more than once, while only three drivers – Hamilton, Mika Hakkinen and Jacques Villeneuve – have managed back-to-back Hungarian Grand Prix victories in the past 20 years.
Location: Hungaroring, Mogyorod, Hungary
Number Of Laps: 70
Lap Length: 2.722 miles
Lap Record: Lewis Hamilton, 1 minutes 16.627 seconds (2020)
Hungarian Grand Prix Winners
YEAR | DRIVER | TEAM | CIRCUIT |
1936 | Tazio Nuvolari | Alfa Romeo | Nepliget |
1986 | Nelson Piquet | Williams-Honda | Hungaroring |
1987 | Nelson Piquet | Williams-Honda | Hungaroring |
1988 | Ayrton Senna | McLaren-Honda | Hungaroring |
1989 | Nigel Mansell | Ferrari | Hungaroring |
1990 | Thierry Boutsen | Williams-Renault | Hungaroring |
1991 | Ayrton Senna | McLaren-Honda | Hungaroring |
1992 | Ayrton Senna | McLaren-Honda | Hungaroring |
1993 | Damon Hill | Williams-Renault | Hungaroring |
1994 | Michael Schumacher | Benetton-Ford | Hungaroring |
1995 | Damon Hill | Williams-Renault | Hungaroring |
1996 | Jacques Villeneuve | Williams-Renault | Hungaroring |
1997 | Jacques Villeneuve | Williams-Renault | Hungaroring |
1998 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Hungaroring |
1999 | Mika Hakkinen | McLaren-Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2000 | Mika Hakkinen | McLaren-Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2001 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Hungaroring |
2002 | Rubens Barrichello | Ferrari | Hungaroring |
2003 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | Hungaroring |
2004 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Hungaroring |
2005 | Kimi Raikkonen | McLaren-Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2006 | Jenson Button | Honda | Hungaroring |
2007 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2008 | Heikki Kovalainen | McLaren-Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2009 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2010 | Mark Webber | Red Bull-Renault | Hungaroring |
2011 | Jenson Button | McLaren-Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2012 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2013 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2014 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull-Renault | Hungaroring |
2015 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | Hungaroring |
2016 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2017 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | Hungaroring |
2018 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2019 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2020 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Hungaroring |
2021 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine-Renault | Hungaroring |