Buoyant Lewis Hamilton seeking to keep momentum and more records
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Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the British Grand Prix in front of his home fans.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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BUDAPEST – A buoyant Lewis Hamilton heads into this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix on the crest of a wave, seeking a record-extending ninth Hungaroring victory and Mercedes’ third straight win of the Formula One season.
After two years of struggles, the 39-year-old ended his long winless run at the British Grand Prix earlier in July with a record ninth home triumph at Silverstone, and hopes to repeat that feat at the track where in 2023 he secured his most recent pole position.
Following his emotional success in front of an adoring crowd in the English rain, Hamilton said he felt excited at the prospect of returning to a track where the seven-time world champion has scored several memorable victories in his career.
“I love Hungary,” he said. “And so I am definitely looking forward to going there. The trajectory we’re now on and the fact that the car is starting to really, really come alive... I can’t wait.”
The Briton won at the Hungaroring – a tight, twisty and often dusty circuit 20km from Budapest – in his debut season for McLaren in 2007 and again in 2009 and 2012.
After switching to Mercedes, he continued to relish the unique challenge of a track often described as “Monaco without the walls” and won again in 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
If he secures a podium finish on July 21, it will be the 200th of his career, while a Hungarian pole position would be a record-extending 10th – landmark achievements that set him apart as he bids to add to teammate George Russell’s victory in Austria and his own in Britain.
He and Russell know, however, that they will not be favourites despite their recent successes.
The fact remains that three-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull has won the last two editions and is chasing his own Hungarian hat-trick.
The Dutchman leads the title race by 84 points ahead of nearest rival Lando Norris of McLaren, as the season crosses the midway point after 12 of the scheduled 24 races.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner expects a close scrap.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how we perform,” he said. “It could be very hot and I think it will be the usual people who are quick at the moment and it will be very, very close again.”
That suggests he considers Red Bull will be fighting with McLaren and Mercedes on recent evidence, but Ferrari could return to form on a tighter circuit – not unlike Monaco where Charles Leclerc gained an emotional home win in May.
With the Belgian Grand Prix following immediately, the double-header offers an opportunity for teams to make an impact before Formula One takes its annual “summer shutdown” for most of August. AFP, REUTERS
