A lot has happened in the Formula One world since the last race at Silverstone. But it's time to look ahead at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Here are all the stories to look out for.
Image credit: Red Bull Content Pool
With the Hungarian Grand Prix, Formula One in 2023 reaches the halfway point in its season. And with Red Bull still looking as the firm favourites, it is looking more and more likely that Max Verstappen will claim the Constructor's Championship let alone the Driver's title. But before we discuss affairs post-Abu Dhabi, there are still over a dozen races to complete. That list starts at Hungary with Round 11 of the season.
During its more-than thirty years on the calendar, the Hungaroring has often provided some intense moments in Formula One history. Several shock winners, meme-worthy race starts and and titanic battles have all taken place at the circuit. Chances are therefore that this weekend's running at the track will be no different.
For once this year however, it won't be the weather causing the havoc. In fact, the forecast for the next few days indicates bright sunny skies throughout the weekend, unlike seemingly every race since we left the Middle East. Instead, fans will have to hope that the technical nature of this 'street circuit without walls' as many call it will provide action.
The smiling Aussie has managed to convince Helmut Marko that he is worthy of a second chance in the sport and will be hoping to show what he can do this weekend. In fact, with such a sudden switch in drivers, Ricciardo will need a good result here in Hungary if he wants to hit the ground running. Poor results are no longer an option for the Australian who is on his last strike.
Luckily for him though, he joins the team that has been languishing at the back of the field at a track he has past success. In his first year with Red Bull Racing, Daniel claimed his second ever win in an enthralling race at Hungary. With many other memorable runs for the Australian in Budapest, he will be hoping to carry some confidence into his first race with the ex-Toro Rosso outfit since 2013.
According to German outlet Auto Motor und Sport, Red Bull is expecting a 0.2 second jump on the rest of the field with its upgrades. If Verstappen wasn't having an easy time of things before this weekend. He certainly will now.
Good news for the Red Bull Racing team as a whole, the upgrades will place added pressure on Sergio Perez. The Mexican has failed to get into Q3 for the past five events and is rapidly losing touch to his teammate Verstappen in the championship. If Checo still struggles to get into the top-ten on the grid this weekend despite major upgrades, paddock rumours may soon become reality. We have now seen that Dr Helmut Marko is not afraid to make mid-season changes to his line-ups. So anything is possible when it comes to the second RBR seat.
With that in mind, here are the times you should be tuning in to F1 TV or your local F1 broadcasting channel for all the sessions.
Free Practice 2: 17:00 - 18:00 CET
Qualifying: 16:00 - 17:00 CET
Image credit: Red Bull Content Pool
With the Hungarian Grand Prix, Formula One in 2023 reaches the halfway point in its season. And with Red Bull still looking as the firm favourites, it is looking more and more likely that Max Verstappen will claim the Constructor's Championship let alone the Driver's title. But before we discuss affairs post-Abu Dhabi, there are still over a dozen races to complete. That list starts at Hungary with Round 11 of the season.
During its more-than thirty years on the calendar, the Hungaroring has often provided some intense moments in Formula One history. Several shock winners, meme-worthy race starts and and titanic battles have all taken place at the circuit. Chances are therefore that this weekend's running at the track will be no different.
For once this year however, it won't be the weather causing the havoc. In fact, the forecast for the next few days indicates bright sunny skies throughout the weekend, unlike seemingly every race since we left the Middle East. Instead, fans will have to hope that the technical nature of this 'street circuit without walls' as many call it will provide action.
Ricciardo returns
That being said, there is one driver on the paddock that could make for a brilliant race all by himself. Following a torrid first ten races, Nyck De Vries has been controversially booted from his seat at Alpha Tauri. In his place at the Red Bull Junior team comes the not-so junior Daniel Ricciardo making his F1 comeback.The smiling Aussie has managed to convince Helmut Marko that he is worthy of a second chance in the sport and will be hoping to show what he can do this weekend. In fact, with such a sudden switch in drivers, Ricciardo will need a good result here in Hungary if he wants to hit the ground running. Poor results are no longer an option for the Australian who is on his last strike.
Luckily for him though, he joins the team that has been languishing at the back of the field at a track he has past success. In his first year with Red Bull Racing, Daniel claimed his second ever win in an enthralling race at Hungary. With many other memorable runs for the Australian in Budapest, he will be hoping to carry some confidence into his first race with the ex-Toro Rosso outfit since 2013.
Red Bull's upgrades
Whilst Daniel struggles with a back marker Alpha Tauri this weekend, the organisation's main team will be testing a set of upgrades set to push them further ahead of the field. Revealed this morning, the RB19's sidepod opening is now no larger than that of a letter box making for a sleek look and surely even more attractive wind tunnel results.According to German outlet Auto Motor und Sport, Red Bull is expecting a 0.2 second jump on the rest of the field with its upgrades. If Verstappen wasn't having an easy time of things before this weekend. He certainly will now.
Good news for the Red Bull Racing team as a whole, the upgrades will place added pressure on Sergio Perez. The Mexican has failed to get into Q3 for the past five events and is rapidly losing touch to his teammate Verstappen in the championship. If Checo still struggles to get into the top-ten on the grid this weekend despite major upgrades, paddock rumours may soon become reality. We have now seen that Dr Helmut Marko is not afraid to make mid-season changes to his line-ups. So anything is possible when it comes to the second RBR seat.
How to watch the Hungarian GP
It is clear that the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix could spell disaster for a number of drivers' careers. So it will be important to keep a watchful eye up and down the grid as said competitors fight for their seats.With that in mind, here are the times you should be tuning in to F1 TV or your local F1 broadcasting channel for all the sessions.
Friday
Free Practice 1: 13:30 - 14:30 CETFree Practice 2: 17:00 - 18:00 CET
Saturday
Free Practice 3: 12:30 - 13:30 CETQualifying: 16:00 - 17:00 CET
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