F1 2018: 5 Early Predictions for the Hungarian Grand Prix

After just passing the halfway point with the 2018 German Grand Prix, we head to Hungary!

Eleven races into the 2018 F1 Season, and Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes once again lead the championship race. Sebastian Vettel had a prime opportunity to extend his lead at his home Grand Prix, but an uncanny mistake threw away his lead, possibly for good.

Meanwhile, Hamilton drove an absolute monster of a race and took the victory in volatile conditions at Hockenheim. Bottas and Raikkonen completed the podium, and no doubt both of them will still be hoping they can creep in from the outside and take the Drivers' Championship, but for now Vettel and Hamilton go back and forth and back again.

This weekend, we head to Hungary to see whether Hamilton can take the last victory before the summer break, or whether Vettel can redeem himself. Red Bull also seem to be hoping for a break in Hungary as they strategically took all of Daniel Ricciardo's engine penalties at Hockenheim in hopes of having an unimpeded chance at victory in Hungary.

What will go down at the Hungaroring? It's hard to tell, and with the current season as exciting as it has been, it could really go in many ways. However, like always, no matter how unpredictable things get, that won't stop us from trying.

#1 Red Bulls 1 & 2 on the grid

Even though Max Verstappen managed a solid P4 in Germany and Ricciardo managed to weave his way from P19 to P6 before a power failure, Red Bull had a rather quiet weekend. The media attention seemed to be on Mercedes and Ferrari more so, especially as the Silver Arrows announced the new contracts for Hamilton and Bottas. Red Bull in every which way seemed to be holding their cards tight, in anticipation of a mega chance this upcoming weekend.

A very downforce reliant circuit, Red Bull's cars are likely to have a great chance at tangling with the Ferraris and Mercedes at the Hungaroring. Both Ricciardo and Verstappen have been driving well in the last few races, and with Red Bull focusing so much on Hungary, we believe that the boys in blue will lock down the first row of the grid.

Whether it will be the Aussie securing his third pole, or the Dutchman his first, is up in the air. To take a shot in the dark, we believe that Max will get that top spot in qualifying for the first time in his career, giving him a good shot at winning the race.

#2 Bottas has a mechanical failure

Mercedes had an almost flawless record in 2017 with only one DNF, when Bottas fell victim to an engine failure in Barcelona. However, in 2018 their record has not been so good. Hamilton and Bottas both saw the wrong end of a mechanical failure in Austria, forcing a double DNF. Then in Qualifying in Germany, Hamilton's car suffered a Hydraulic failure that relegated him to P14 on the grid, although the Brit powered through in the race for a stunning victory.

That said, 2018 has shown that Mercedes is not completely perfect and like other teams are susceptible to hardware issues. Whether it be in Qualifying like Lewis last weekend, or in the race as in Austria, we believe that the weekend will be spiced up by Bottas having a mechanical failure of some sort. It certainly wouldn't be out of character for the Finn, who has been having seriously bad luck this year.

#3 Alonso and Hulkenberg have the battle of the weekend

Currently P7 and P8 in the Drivers' Championship, Nico Hulkenberg and Fernando Alonso are undoubtedly two of the best drivers on the grid today. While they might not have race winning cars, especially Alonso, who has been leading an ailing McLaren to seven points finishes, they both can still certainly duke it out on the track. Alonso has been showing his skill, having some great battles with the likes of LeClerc and Gasly at Hockenheim.

Hulkenberg showed how good he is at his home race, where in changeable conditions he brought his Renault home in P5, dueling it out with the Force India's & the Haas's to claim his best finish of the season. With McLaren and Renault having equal engines, hopefully McLaren can improve their car to the level so that they are battling with the top of the midfield rather than the bottom.

With the two so close in the championship, we see it as a little bit of foreshadowing and we hope to see a showdown between the two in Hungary to secure their claim on that number 7 spot in the title race.

#4 Hamilton and Vettel collide

With the season as tight as it is, and with the race for the driver's title going back and forth between the two four-time champions, it's only a matter of time until they come to a head. The two themselves will likely want to settle it between them on track by dueling it out wheel to wheel, however this is racing and anything can happen.

Hamilton and Vettel have come together before, most famously at Baku last year, and the Ferraris and Mercedes cars have made contact this season with Hamilton & Raikkonen making contact in Germany, and Vettel and Bottas in France.

We believe that we shall bear witness to another clash of Silver and Scarlet in Hungary as the two title rivals push a little too hard, when they are just a little too close to each other. A direct incident between the two would certainly make for an interesting turn in the championship race, and it would undoubtedly make life harder for both if someone like Raikkonen or Bottas takes the win and put themselves right into title contention.

#5 Ricciardo takes it in Hungary

With the Red Bulls looking to be as strong as they are in Hungary, it is a very real possibility that the Austrian outfit will take the win there over Mercedes and Ferrari. Daniel Ricciardo currently sits fifth in the Drivers' Championship, and while it is unlikely, there is no doubt that he will still be aiming to take the win.

Having one win in Hungary already in 2014, the Australian driver has a good chance of making it two this weekend. He hasn't had perfect luck this season with four retirements already, but if Red Bull's machinery holds out, he may be able to make it three wins.

Hungary was not fortunate for Ricciardo last year as a shunt with his teammate in the opening lap saw him retire from the race. Therefore, he will be gunning for the victory and if he and Max can keep it clean, and Red Bull can keep their cars on, it could be time for a 'Shoey' at the Hungaroring this weekend!

Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee