By Alan 1st earl baldwin of bewdley
(Reuters) – Lewis Hamilton can change into the first Formula One driver to safe 100 races but Red Bull’s world championship chief Max Verstappen intends to be the one celebrating in Hungary on Sunday.
Hamiiton has won eight instances on the Hungaroring, a recount he shares with fellow seven instances world champion Michael Schumacher for most wins on the an identical expansive prix.
The Mercedes driver’s 99th victory, at his dwelling British Huge Prix 10 days in the past after a high-velocity first lap collision with Verstappen, became up the warmth on the title battle and added acrimony.
Every groups need to now aid a virtual meeting with stewards after Red Bull sought a overview of the resolution at hand Hamilton completely a 10 2nd penalty for causing the accident at Silverstone.
Verstappen, whose lead used to be slashed from 33 factors to eight after 10 rounds, will likely be in particular fired up to rebuild his wait on sooner than the August spoil.
If Hamilton had been to triumph with the quickest lap on the Hungaroring, and Verstappen contrivance 2nd, the pair would signal off for the summer season level on factors and wins.
There are definite to be masses more clashes ahead but Verstappen, 13 years youthful than Hamilton at 23, would rather stay his talking on the song.
“I don’t have great to recount on all of the media hype and to be honest I am no longer drawn to getting all in favour of any of that,” he said.
“I do know what came about at Silverstone as I used to be in the auto and obviously I maintain a sure method about how my bustle ended but now I’m factual specializing in making definite we’re the surely we would merely moreover be heading in the appropriate course so we can keep ahead in the championship.
“The crew can rob care of the official side of things and one thing else that needs having a check into after the crash but my job is the an identical as always — to be the surely I’m able to and rob a check at to safe on Sunday.”
Verstappen also has honest memories of Hungary, taking his first pole there in 2019 and finishing 2nd the last two years.
“I ride Hungary as a song and let’s hope there in all fairness less motion on easy solutions to the grid as the mechanics worked some sort of miracle to gain my automobile out for the bustle last yr,” he said.
The Dutch driver crashed sooner than the originate last yr, leaving his mechanics racing to repair the suspension and replace a entrance flee.
Mercedes crew boss Toto Wolff noticed Red Bull coming abet strongly.
“It is a song that can likely swimsuit our competitors more, but we will give all of it we have bought,” he said.
Hungary also holds happy memories for Alpine’s double world champion Fernando Alonso, who took the first safe of his F1 profession on the circuit with Renault in 2003 and who turns 40 this week.
“It feels admire a limiteless slither-kart circuit. We all look after driving there because I enlighten the driving force has a rather plenty more input than some circuits,” said the Spaniard.
(Reporting by Alan 1st earl baldwin of bewdley, editing by Toby Davis)
