Lewis Hamilton Buoyant as He Seeks to Maintain Momentum and Set More Records
Lewis Hamilton enters this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix with optimism and a desire to extend his record with a ninth victory at the Hungaroring, aiming to secure Mercedes’ third consecutive win of the season. Following a two-year drought, Hamilton broke through at the British Grand Prix with his record ninth home win at Silverstone, setting the stage for a return to a track where he has celebrated numerous memorable victories throughout his career.
“I love Hungary,” Hamilton remarked. “So, I’m really looking forward to racing there. The current path we’re on, and the way the car is performing, feels fantastic. I can’t wait.”
The 39-year-old seven-time world champion first won at the tight, twisty Hungaroring in his debut season for McLaren in 2007, and subsequently in 2009 and 2012. Since moving to Mercedes, he has relished the unique challenges of the circuit, often described as ‘Monaco without the walls’, adding victories in 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
A podium finish this Sunday would mark his 200th career podium, while a pole position would extend his record to 10, showcasing his enduring dominance in Formula One. Hamilton, along with teammate George Russell, understands they aren’t the favorites despite recent successes, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen aiming for his third consecutive Hungarian victory following wins in 2022 and last year.
“Last year was fantastic,” Verstappen recalled. “I have great memories from racing here and securing our 12th consecutive win last year. Hopefully, we can have another strong race.”
Heading into the race’s midpoint, Verstappen leads the championship by 84 points over McLaren’s Lando Norris, with the season halfway through its scheduled 24 races. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner anticipates a competitive weekend.
“It’ll be intriguing to see our performance,” Horner commented. “Conditions could be very hot, and I expect the usual contenders to be quick. It promises to be a closely fought battle once again.”
Horner’s assessment suggests Red Bull will be challenged by Mercedes and McLaren, while Ferrari, expected to bounce back on the compact Hungaroring similar to their Monaco success, seeks a solid performance from Charles Leclerc after struggling with recent upgrades.
“With such tight competition at the front, every small gain counts,” noted Horner. “Mercedes showed great pace at Silverstone, securing pole and the front row, and executed a strong race… at least with Lewis.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged their recent momentum with headline results in Austria and Silverstone but admitted the need for a car capable of contending for victories consistently.
“The Hungaroring’s distinct character compared to the last two circuits means we’ll focus on maximizing our performance and maintaining our upward trajectory,” Wolff emphasized.
