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F1 Event Guide: Round 12 Hungary

F1 Event Guide: Round 12 Hungary

By Thomas Miles

With Red Bull on the verge of history and one of Australia’s most successful F1 drivers making an unexpected return to the grid, lots of hype surrounds the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix.

After 10 races away Daniel Ricciardo is back to ensure Aussies will have two home heroes to cheer on late at night.

The “Honey Badger” had planned on spending the entire 2023 F1 season on the sidelines as Red Bull’s third driver after his McLaren stint ended unceremoniously a year early.

However, he has been thrown into an AlphaTauri seat two weeks before the summer break after Nyck de Vries was binned off for underperforming.

Download the full F1 Hungarian Grand Prix event guide HERE with track stats and facts and a full event schedule, plus our extensive driver profiles.

Daniel Ricciardo Passes Fernando Alonso for the Lead of the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo passes Fernando Alonso for the lead of the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix.

The sensational development has created a lot of excitement all over the world, and all eyes will be on Ricciardo to see if he can get the magic back.

It will be no easy task given the Aussie will be jumping into the slowest car on the grid with AlphaTauri last in the championship and point-less in the last five races.

Despite not racing this year, the team will be leaning on Ricciardo’s 11 and a half seasons of experience to rise out of its current hole.

Budapest is a special place for Ricciardo to make his comeback, given one of his most famous wins arrived there in 2014 when he flew from third to first inside the final five laps.

Whilst many will be intrigued to see how Ricciardo goes, the senior squad Red Bull is on the edge of history.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull continued their dominance at Silverstone and are on the edge of history this weekend

Max Verstappen and Red Bull continued their dominance at Silverstone and are on the edge of history this weekend.Image: Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images

Victory in Hungary will rewrite the record books with Red Bull tied with McLaren for the most consecutive wins.

Christian Horner’s squad has won 11 races on the bounce with the streak starting at last year’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The form guide suggests little can stop Max Verstappen from achieving the feat, given he has won the last six and overcame an early scare from McLaren in Silverstone.

Last year was another prime example of how hard the Dutch driver is to beat after he started down in 10th and even had a spin, but still won by 7s.

On the other side of the garage the pressure is mounting on Sergio Perez to improve his single-lap pace having not reached Q3 since he got pole in Miami.

The fight for the best of the rest appears as intriguing as ever, with McLaren a new player after showing sensational Silverstone speed.

Oscar Piastri and Mclaren Were On Fire at Silverstone

Oscar Piastri and McLaren were on fire at Silverstone. Photo by Jake Grant / LAT Images

Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were fighting at the front and only a poorly timed Safety Car cost the Aussie rookie a dream maiden podium.

Piastri will be armed with the new front wing that Norris had exclusive rights over in Hungary.

Mercedes appeared next best with Lewis Hamilton scoring another home podium, while Aston Martin and Ferrari also need to find some extra speed after losing ground a fortnight ago.

A new rule will be in play in Hunary where teams can only use hards in Q1, mediums in Q2 and softs in Q3.

With Red Bull chasing records, Ricciardo redemption and Piastri a podium, there is so much to look forward to at the Hungaroring, which has thrown up some classic races in the last decade.

Download the full F1 Hungarian Grand Prix event guide HERE with track stats and facts and a full event schedule, plus our extensive driver profiles.

F1 Hungarian Grand Prix Event Guide

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