2022 Hungarian Grand Prix Prediction, Formula 1 Odds
Max Verstappen will be aiming to pad what may already be an insurmountable lead in the Formula 1 Drivers Standings, when the reigning F1 champion hits the track for this weekend’s running of the 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix as a +112 favourite on the Formula 1 odds. With Ferrari experiencing another disastrous weekend at the French Grand Prix, Verstappen easily rolled to his seventh victory of the season, and now sports a massive 63-point lead over his closest rival in the standings, Charles Leclerc. Forced to publicly apologize for a crucial error that forced him out of last weekend’s French Grand Prix, Leclerc returns to action as a +152 second favourite.
Hungarian Grand Prix Race Time, Weather Forecast
The 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix is set to get underway at 9:00 a.m. ET on Sunday morning at Hungaroring in Mogyoród, Hungary. Measuring 4.381 kilometres in length, the track at Circuit Paul Ricard features a 900 metre main straight and one DRS zone. While there is a risk of rain entering the weekend, the long-term forecast for race time calls for mostly sunny skies, with temperatures reaching into the low 30s Celsius.
Can Anyone Catch Verstappen?
With Verstappen and his Red Bull Racing colleagues taking advantage of Ferrari’s continued struggles last week, both the champion and his team have put a stranglehold on the top of the F1 futures odds. In the wake of last weekend’s win, Verstappen has vaulted to a massive -500 favourite to successfully defend his F1 Drivers Championship. And with Red Bull now enjoying a sizeable 82-point lead over second-place Ferrari in the F1 Constructors Standings, the Austrian-licensed team is now perched as -400 chalk to claim their first crown since 2013.
However, Verstappen and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez cannot afford to let up in Hungary, where the team has claimed just one win since 2010. Indeed, Verstappen has also largely struggled in qualifying at this event, earning a spot on the front row of the grid just once in the past five years.
As for Perez, Hungary has provided him with a decade of forgettable experiences. Forced to settle for fourth place last week, “Checo” has earned points in just two of 10 previous appearances at Hungaroring. And given his recent sluggish performance, with DNFs in two of his past four outings, he is best faded this weekend.
Can Ferrari Rebound?
With a brain cramp ending Leclerc’s race in France, and inexplicable team orders complicating Carlos Sainz’ bid to return to contention after starting 19th due to penalties, Ferrari’s long catastrophic summer continued last week.
Leclerc has now crashed out on three occasions this season while leading a race, raising concerns about his mental toughness. The Monte Carlo’s failure in France has quickly erased the gains made by his epic drive to victory earlier this month in Austria, and has left many observers speculating that it is Sainz’ time to emerge as the Prancing Horse’s top driver. And with good reason.
Following upgrades, Sainz’ car was clearly the fastest on the track last week. And the talented Spaniard’s willingness to challenge Ferrari’s often ludicrous team orders hasn’t hurt his cause. Accordingly, he offers sensational value as a +738 bet to claim his second win of the season.
Mercedes Poised for Another Podium
Leclerc’s misfortune in France also aided Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton powering to a season-best second-place finish. Hamilton was joined on the podium by George Russell, who has now finished top five in 11 of 12 races.
With Mercedes enjoying a lengthy track record of success in Hungary, and Hamilton and Russell now re-emerging as consistent podium threats, sports bettors ignore the Silver Arrows at their own peril.
Hamilton has finished off the podium just once over the past six years, and sports attractive +110 odds to do it again this weekend. And given that Hungary was the scene of Russell’s first-ever points finish, he is worth a flyer to reach the podium as a +200 bet.
Prediction: Carlos Sainz to win (+738); Mercedes double podium (+350)
