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Four days after certainly one of his most consummate and memorable triumphs, Lewis Hamilton returns to certainly one of his favorite circuits this weekend with greater than one other Formula One report in his sights. As he prepares for the Hungarian Grand Prix on the tight and twisty Hungaroring circuit, 25 kilometres north of Budapest, the six-time world champion will draw on his expertise and his momentum as he pursues twin targets of a seventh drivers’ title and making lasting progress within the world anti-racism marketing campaign for equality, range and justice.
Hamilton has loved seven earlier victories in Hungary and on Sunday can draw degree with Michael Schumacher’s landmark of claiming eight on the similar Grand Prix.
Schumacher reeled off eight triumphs on the French Grand Prix, at Magny Cours, between 1994 and 2006, a feat that Hamilton hopes to emulate.
“Whenever I am reminded of the records that Michael had, it’s just still mind-blowing to me,” stated Hamilton when he seemed forward to the Budapest weekend following his victory on the Styrian Grand Prix final Sunday.
“I’ve always loved it, Hungary.
“Budapest and Montreal you’d in all probability say have been my strongest so I’m excited to return — it’s a observe the place the Red Bulls often do effectively so it is not going to be simple.”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen seeks to end Mercedes’ winning start to the COVID-19 delayed season and prevent the champion team completing a season-opening hat-trick.
The Dutchman came home third behind Hamilton and his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who won the season-opener at the Red Bull Ring, on Sunday and admitted he did not have the outright speed to match them.
His team boss Christian Horner, however, believes Red Bull can close that gap at the slower Hungaroring, but Verstappen is less certain.
“I do not know,” he said. “But, for certain, I hope it may be higher.”
Ferrari under fire
Behind Red Bull’s expected bid to catch Mercedes, there could be a closely-fought scrap as under-performing and under-pressure Ferrari seeking some solace after a bruising weekend last time out.
The Italian team’s involvement lasted only three corners at the Red Bull Ring before their drivers collided, leaving them as red-faced as their cars.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, linked with a switch to Aston Martin-Racing Point next season after being told this is his last year at Ferrari, retained his dignity as Charles Leclerc accepted the blame and apologised immediately.
“At least I haven’t got to attend lengthy to be again within the automotive so let’s hope Hungary is best for us,” said Vettel, humbled by events that have left team chief Mattia Binotto under fierce criticism in Italy.
Binotto said Ferrari were losing a second a lap to Mercedes in Austria, an admission that exasperated the team’s fans and the Italian media.
Former Ferrari boss Ross Brawn, who oversaw Schumacher’s five titles with Ferrari, observed: “They aren’t going to show it round in a single day and there is a lengthy highway forward. They want to seek out out if there’s a elementary downside with the automotive — and they should discover out quick — as a result of clearly they’re a way off the tempo.”
As at the previous two weekends, the race will be run behind closed doors and under very strict protocols with the Hungarian government insisting all involved, but notably those from outside the European Union, must stay in their hotels except when going to the circuit or the airport.
“These restrictions apply from the second you enter Hungary,” stated Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
Promoted
“We are going to enter late as no one needs to be caught in a lodge room from Monday to Thursday earlier than we go to the observe — and so we’ll preserve our bubble in Austria.
“And we are making no differences for nationalities. We are trying to be at the forefront in Formula One’s fight for equality and no discrimination, so the last thing we would do is give anyone privileges.”
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