F1 Tips
Outright Betting – Lando Norris (E/W)
Top 6 Finish – Sergio Perez
Points Finish – Nico Hülkenberg
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
It was fitting to see Lewis Hamilton end his long winless streak in front of his home faithful at Silverstone – and the question now turns to whether the Brit superstar can make it two in a row in Hungary this weekend.
After a couple of substandard seasons, Mercedes are back on track and seeking a hat-trick of race victories to add to George Russell’s success in Austria last month, with the 2024 season really heating up as we accelerate towards the summer break.
Max Verstappen continues to lead the pack in the race for the drivers’ title, although Red Bull have lost their mammoth advantage over the rest of the field and question marks have been raised over Sergio Perez’s future in the second seat.
The Mexican is one of a number of drivers in need of a good weekend at the Hungaroring and it promises to be another entertaining weekend on the tarmac.
I’ve run the rule over Paddy Power’s odds for the Hungarian Grand Prix and picked out three fancies. Let’s get into gear and head on over!
Hungarian Grand Prix
Qualifying: Saturday 15:00
Race: Sunday 14:00
TV: Sky Sports F1
Outright Betting – Lando Norris (E/W)
The MCL38 is, arguably, the most rock-solid car on the grid at the moment, which must make it frustrating for McLaren that Lando Norris has failed to win since breaking his duck in Miami.
There have been opportunities so the Brit should be in the mix once again, having achieved four podiums in six races since his first victory – and it would have been five but for his late tangle with Max Verstappen in Austria.
Crucially, he has form at the Hungaroring after bagging the silver medal in last season’s edition of the Hungarian Grand Prix, which was his best effort in four previous F1 visits to the track.
Norris has qualified third or higher for the last four Grands Prix and another excellent effort is expected on Saturday to tee him up for a shot at the chequered flag on Sunday.
Top 6 Finish – Sergio Perez
It is sign of Sergio Perez‘s slump that he is odds-against to achieve a Top 6 Finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
It doesn’t help that Red Bull have lost their advantage over the rest of the field and there are four teams effectively competing at the sharp end, but the Mexican is in danger of losing his seat over the summer break if he doesn’t perform over the next two weekends.
He has been outside the Top 6 since Miami, although he suffered a similar – if less alarming – dip in form last season before bouncing back to a bit of form ahead of the mid-season pause, with a podium at the Hungaroring being achieved.
As well as the track suiting the RB20, there could be a path into the Top 6 for Perez because rivals Mercedes might be impacted on their long runs by forecast high temperatures.
Points Finish – Nico Hülkenberg
If you’re a regular follower of this column then you will know I’m a big fan of backing Nico Hülkenberg for a Points Finish.
Quite frankly, the German deserves to be in the conversation for driver of the season, having bagged an incredible 22 points to sit 11th in the standings.
He has taken his form to new heights in recent weeks, earning successive sixth-place finishes in Austria and Great Britain, which suggests Haas’ attempts to continue improving the VF-24 are working.
The worry is that Hülkenberg has only scored points on two out of 10 previous cracks at the Hungarian Grand Prix, but he is a man in form and is worth backing at odds-against.
Hungarian Grand Prix Tips
Outright Betting – Lando Norris (E/W)
Top 6 Finish – Sergio Perez
Points Finish – Nico Hülkenberg
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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