This weekend, the Hungarian Grand Prix will go underway for the 41st time in F1 history. The championship fight between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris steals the spotlight as it progressively intenses. The Australian already has a 16 point advantage over his teammate Norris who looks to strike back in Hungary. The initial conditions for this racing weekend couldn´t be much better, but what else can we expect from this event?

What to Watch for

VErstappen and RUssell trying to stay in the fight

The last races were much but uplifting for championship contenders Max Verstappen and George Russell - and yes, displaying them as contenders for the championship seems to be on the edge in times of Mclaren´s domination. One positive for the two of them is their record here in Hungary - Verstappen won two times in 2022 and 2023, whilst George Russell scored his first points for Williams in 2021 and took pole in 2022 on the Hungaroring. If there is a chance for the pair to strike back, it is right in Hungary.

Combat in the midfield

The midfield has once again been very close in Spa, surely we will see nothing different this time in Hungary. Williams currently leads the midfield teams in the standings with 70 points, sitting in P5. Sauber is still looking strong with Gabriel Bortoleto clinching a points finish once again in Belgium, so we surely have to look out for them.

If we take last years results as a benchmark, Aston Martin and the Racing Bulls should find some pace around here, locking out P9 - P12 behind the top teams last year. Especially Yuki Tsunoda showed strong pace in his Racing Bull finishing P9 - maybe a glimpse of hope for the Japanese who stood out positively after last weekends qualifying session in Spa.

Piastri vs norris

pictures by @artoff1

At last years race we already witnessed the two Mclaren teammates fighting it out on track - more or less. Lando Norris started the race from pole position but Oscar Piastri took the lead in the first lap. Lando Norris pitted in lap 45 to cover off Hamilton, which resulted in an unwanted position swap with Oscar Piastri who pitted 2 laps later. Lando Norris, who found himself leading the race again, was then instructed to let Piastri pass him on track. Eventually, after desperate messages from engineer Will Joseph, Norris followed the instruction and handed Oscar Piastri the race win.

This year however, the two of them find themselves in a different position - both of them want to and can win the drivers championship. Unconditional teamwork and gifted wins are no longer - they will definitely battle it out on track this time.

The weather

Same as in Silverstone and Spa, the weather will once again be a hot topic this weekend. Potential rain could bring a little bit of chaos to shake up the order on Saturday and Sunday - for further information, check out the detailled weather report for this weekends Hungarian GP!

Final Evaluation

As stated, there couldn´t be a better initial situation for the last race before the summer break - the championship fight between Norris and Piastri entering a crucial stage, Max Verstappen and George Russell trying to make a statement, the midfield teams battling it out and the weather shaking up things - it will definitely be worth tuning in for this weekends race!

written by Tizian Hatzmann

The Hungarian Grand Prix preview