Mercedes expect Red Bull to have the edge at the latest stop on the Formula 1 calendar, the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Brackley-based team is back in the game after a highly controversial Sunday in Britain two weeks ago. Just four points now separate themselves and Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship and eight between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ standings.
Of course, the reason for the big swing was the contact between Hamilton and Verstappen which eliminated the Dutchman on the opening lap. And the fallout from that continues in Budapest with Red Bull requesting a review with the FIA on Thursday.
“Everyone has their own opinion on the events of Silverstone, and it was a very polarising incident,” said team boss Toto Wolff in Mercedes’ Hungarian GP preview.
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“However, the most important thing is that Max is OK. It’s never nice to see a car crashing, particularly at such high speeds and at a corner like that, so we’re glad he emerged from the accident unscathed.
“For us, it was an encouraging weekend with the pace of the car, the small upgrades we introduced worked well and we scored some big points, so we’re looking to keep that momentum going,” he continued.
“We know how fine the margins are this season and how the advantage is swaying from one team to the other at each race.
“Us and Red Bull looked very closely matched at Silverstone and Ferrari were very quick, and now the battle moves onto the next round and a very different track.”
Indeed, Britain and Hungary are polar opposites in terms of circuit characteristics and with Budapest potentially exaggerating a Mercedes weakness.
“The Hungaroring is a high-downforce, tight and twisty circuit, almost like a large version of a go-kart track,” Wolff claimed.
“Hungary will therefore be a different beast compared to the last race, and it is a track that will likely suit our competitors more, but we’ll give it all we’ve got.
“It’s been a long and intense first half of the season and we’re almost at the summer break.
“We want to ensure we head into the shutdown on the right foot before we get the chance to recharge, take stock of everything that’s happened so far and then come back fighting in the second half of the season.”
