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SteemSports Presenter: @the23chronicles

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SteemSports General Manager: Nolan Jacobson, @theprophet0

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Circuit Length: 4.381 km

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Race distance: 306.83 km

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First GP: 1986

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Lap Record: Michael Schumacher (2004)

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Dates: Practice 1: Friday, 28th July; 10:00 – 11:30

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Practice 2: Friday, 28th July; 14:00 – 15:30

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Practice 3: Saturday, 29th July; 11:00 – 12:00

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Qualifying: Saturday, 29th July; 14:00 – 15:00

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Main Race: Sunday, 30th July; 14:00 – 16:00

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This weekend’s GP marks the teams’ last chance to bag a big result before Formula 1’s traditional summer break. With just a single point separating the leading title contenders – Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton – there is everything to play for in Budapest.

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Hungary first hosted a Grand Prix in the 1930s, but following the Second World War and the building of the Iron Curtain, it was not until the 1960s that motor-sport began to take a prominent place in the country.

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At first, a street race through Budapest was suggested, but in the end the decision was taken to build a brand new circuit in a valley 19 kilometers outside Budapest. The valley provided a natural vantage points for spectators. Although tight and twisty, the circuit has been known to throw up some great races.

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With many low and medium speed corners, it demands stability on corner entry and strong traction on the exit. It’s quite hard on both the front and rear tyres so overall it can be said to be a tough handling circuit. And as the circuit is not used that often, the track surface tend to start off rather green, with grip steadily improving as rubber is laid down throughout the weekend.

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Over The Years

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The Hungaroring has been staging Grand Prix for over three decades, but remarkably, in that time only three drivers have won more than twice here – and in that time only three drivers have won more than twice here – and all three are all-time greats: Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. Lewis Hamilton has won five times in Hungary. Thus to say he is a Budapest specialist. Four of his current rivals have also tasted victory here, but none more than once.

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Hamilton’s stranglehold on Hungary qualifying is almost as tight as his grip on race wins. In the all-time list only Schumacher has more poles here, with seven to Hamilton’s five. The rest of the current grid are all trailing, with current leader Vettel and Fernando Alonso on two apiece.

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Hamilton could also match Schumacher’s pole record this weekend. If he qualifies pole, he will be matching Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 68 poles. And it is looking very likely, as Mercedes have secured P1 for the last four years, with Hamilton getting two of those.

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Standings: Ferrari to Fight Back

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The last round at the British GP was a huge blow to Ferrari. To suffer tyre problems which cost Sebastian Vettel a podium finish and all but eradicated his points lead. Heading into Hungary, he has 177 points to Lewis Hamilton’s 176.

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Ferrari needs a strong performance here, to convince that they have not started to lose their grip on the championship battle. Mercedes, however, believe that the Hungarian will suit them just as well. They will be looking to repeat their 1-2 finish.

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Predictions: Who Can Stop Hamilton?

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Winner here in 2016, Hamilton is favorite to record his sixth victory in Budapest. This should see him take the lead for the first time this season.

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Homeboys, Valterri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen can expect plenty of support from the home crowd. Will that be enough to force a win? Other than a 20 percent chance of rainfall on Friday, this weekend is expected to be typically hot and sunny.

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