SPORTS
Budapest to host 2023 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix session
Baku, July 21, AZERTAC
Formula 1 returns to the Hungaroring in Budapest for the eleventh race on the 2023 calendar.
The action starts with FP1 and FP2 on Friday, July 21, in preparation for qualifying on Saturday, July 22, and the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, July 23.
This weekend, Fernando Alonso becomes the first driver to start the Hungarian Grand Prix on 20 occasions. Ahead of the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, he’s tied with Kimi Raikkonen and Rubens Barrichello for most appearances at the Hungaroring.
The Hungaroring is one of Hamilton's best tracks as he has won there eight times. He took his first Mercedes victory in 2013 in Budapest and thrives in the flowing middle sector, keeping enough tyre performance for the end of the lap when things slow down and more time can be gained. If he leads 13 laps of the race, Lewis Hamilton will become the first driver to have led 500 laps at a single circuit in Formula 1 history.
Mercedes brought a new front wing to Silverstone but it did not provide too much performance as Hamilton was largely on the podium thanks to the timing of the Safety Car for Kevin Magnussen's stricken Haas.
George Russell took a shock maiden pole position 12 months ago in Budapest, another surprise moment in the history of the Hungaroring, but Toto Wolff is playing down expectations.
Max Verstappen comes into the Hungarian Grand Prix having won six races on the bounce and currently sits at the top of the drivers’ championship ahead of his Red Bull team mate, Sergio Perez, by 99 points.
However, Max Verstappen's dominance in 2023 means Hamilton is unlikely to add to the tally this weekend. The Dutchman has been near-untouchable in F1 this season, with his victory at Silvestone marking his sixth successive triumph of the campaign and eighth overall.
Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez won the other two races at Jeddah and Baku, but his recent qualifying form leaves Verstappen as the favourite for the Hungarian GP.