F1, Hungarian GP 2018: Race predictions and things we learnt from Qualifying

The 12th round of the 2018 F1 championship has begun with rain showers ensuring thorough excitement during Saturday’s qualifying session. The teams had to quickly decide which tyres to switch to because of the wet conditions.

Red Bull Racing chose to send Daniel Ricciardo out on softs, almost costing him a place in Q2, before the Australian finally managed to climb up to 12th with only a few seconds remaining on the board. Unfortunately for the 29-year-old, he only managed to be placed 12th on the grid, having failed to qualify for the last session.

While everyone else chose the purple ultrasoft tyres as their pick, only Sebastian Vettel went out in Q2 with his Ferrari wearing intermediates, helping him jump to the top of the table. The decision proved advantageous, as he got the first go with the others dashing back to the pits for a tyre change.

The big news of the weekend was Sahara Force India being placed in administration, but they would be allowed to compete in the Hungarian Grand Prix as per normal. With their future under uncertainty, the entire team would be hoping to focus on the race. It is especially important with news coming out about Sergio Perez and their engine suppliers Mercedes having a hand in the Silverstone based team’s predicament.

Qualifying was mostly about strategy and tyre choices, but the race might be a completely different ball game. With the championship heating up quite nicely, and only 17 points separating the top two contenders, a victory for either would prove vital. Let’s have a look at our race predictions and talking points from the Saturday session:-

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#5 Elation for Sainz

F1 Grand Prix of Hungary - Practice

Carlos Sainz claimed the fifth place on the grid by driving his car with maturity way beyond his years. He would be hoping to capitalize on his starting position. While his teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, got stuck way back in 13th, the Spanish driver ensured Renault has a reason to rejoice.

The drenched conditions were in favour of Sainz, who drove his car to the limit in order to gain track position for the race. With overtaking proving a tough task with wider cars and tyre management of utmost importance in the predicted warm conditions, the 23-year-old would be aided by a better starting place.

#4 More misery for Daniel Ricciardo

F1 Grand Prix of Hungary - Qualifying

Daniel Ricciardo is quickly getting used to being eliminated in the second part of qualifying. Whether it be because of choosing not to run during the German GP or not being quick enough here in Hungary, is a different matter.

The Australian was looking forward to driving at the Hungaroring and deemed his Red Bull as a potential race winner at the circuit. His hopes were rained on, quite literally.

However, the 29-year-old is famous for his drives from the back of the grid and he is well familiar with the track in Budapest, even developing a liking for it in the past. It would not be difficult for Daniel to gain positions even in with the hot conditions predicted for Sunday, which would make overtaking challenging.

#3 Opportunity for Toro Rosso

F1 Grand Prix of Hungary - Qualifying

Another team to capitalize on the drenched conditions on Saturday was Toro Rosso. Both their drivers climbed up to Q3, with Pierre Gasly even slipping ahead of his sister team’s driver, Max Verstappen.

It would not be entirely easy for both the cars to hold onto their positions, especially with Max and Daniel Ricciardo starting in seventh and twelfth, respectively. However, the weekend in Hungary might bring a decent point haul for Toro Rosso.

It would prove to be vital towards a respectable race finish with Honda engine and even Red Bull Racing would be looking forward to the same.

#2 Safety Car decides the race

Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix

It would not be a surprise to view a safety car leading the cars on the track on Sunday. A small mistake can ensure a ride to the barriers and bring out a safety car to bunch up the whole field.

While it can prove dismal and heartbreaking for the crashed car and front-runners, the back end of the grid can be assisted with all the drivers being in close proximity to each other. It could prove a fighting opportunity for anybody willing to overtake.

If a safety car is deployed, it could very well act as a decider for the race, helping a driver to claim victory or at least pick up more points.

#1 Wet conditions ensure win for Hamilton

F1 Grand Prix of Hungary - Qualifying

Lewis Hamilton has proven time and time again how strong he is in wet conditions. While the forecast remains for dry and hot environment, a sudden downpour might help the Briton drive, or perhaps, sail to victory.

The Mercedes driver clinched pole with the aid of rain gods, and he isn’t an easy pick for passing. While Ferrari would have be hoping for their drivers climbing up from the second row, it remains highly unlikely.

The tyres would require constant care and maintenance if the track temperature soars high, and with overtaking remaining difficult, it would be Hamilton’s race to lose.