Hamilton has pole but Verstappen’s strongest threat may be behind him

18 comments on “Hamilton has pole but Verstappen’s strongest threat may be behind him”

1. 

   Michael
   23rd July 2023, 0:47

   Based on the long run lap times could Zhou in an Alfa Romeo could be the biggest threat to Red Bull’s winning record, at a track where Ocon won in a Renault and Hill nearly won in an Arrows.
   1. 

      Michael
      23rd July 2023, 1:01

      Not to mention the track where Alonso took his debut win lapping both teammate Trulli, and the eventual world champion Michael Schumacher, Riccardo picked up a win over the dominant Mercedes in 2014, and Kovalainen took his only win (ahead of Glock). Interesting results do tend to happen at the Hungaroring.
      1. 

         Todfod (@todfod)
         23rd July 2023, 8:38

         Could be a Norris debut win tomorrow. If Hamilton and Verstappen get messy at the start, or eat up their tyres battling each other, there’s two pacey Mclarens behind them.
   2. 

      PacificPR (@streydt)
      23rd July 2023, 7:08

      The Alfa’s had great pace all weekend indeed and what a great lap by Zhou. I am a bit doubtful about the race though and it hasn’t so much to do with pace. Where as Lewis, Verstappen and the McLaren’s don’t have a lot to lose – the Alfa’s do, opportunities for good points don’t come so often for them and they might be more progressive and careful as the cars around them – but let’s see! Would be great to have Zhou or Bottas on the podium (or close to it)z
      1. 

         Rushan
         23rd July 2023, 8:31

         Yep. Zhou said in the post quali interview, that they are trying to be the best of the rest behind Max, Lewis, McLarens and even checo or charles showed he had to not race them. Because AR is P9 (9 points) in constructor championship and P7 (Williams and Hass both are on 11 points) is just 2 points ahead. Every points counts for lower teams. I think Zhou target for P7 and Bottas for P8. That’s 10 points and with that AR will have 19 points in P7 and they can breath for 2-3 races with 8 points ahead of any teams lower than them.
         1. 

            Ajaxn
            23rd July 2023, 11:23

            I also think with Daniel Ricciardo’s sudden promotion back into f1 at AlphaTauri, its given the other drivers gee-up, since the same fate might befall them if they’re not pulling their weight. This is one of those rare tracks where it’s much more about skill around the corners than all-out pace down the straights.
2. 

   Kb davies
   23rd July 2023, 2:09

   Jhshdh
3. 

   Jere (@jerejj)
   23rd July 2023, 5:23

   Do Mercedes or McLaren have any realistic hope of containing Max Verstappen? – No.
   1. 

      asd
      23rd July 2023, 10:22

      They do. Hungaroring is very difficult to overtake on, and if Verstappen falls to 3rd, 4th or 5th at the start (which is possible as if he starts from the firsty side of the track) and then is stuck behind until the first pitstops, then the race is done for him.
   2. 

      x303 (@x303)
      23rd July 2023, 13:17

      I hope starting on the right side of the track slows down Verstappen: it will allow the McLarens to pass and make for an even better race for everyone.
4. 

   Fritz
   23rd July 2023, 7:18

   @Will Wood.

   Why does the article start with ” somebody did SLH a favor”? Why not highlight that SLH in a slower car managed to take pole?

   At the first sign of Lewis having some success you start of with a ” he should be grateful article”?

   If you sumup the cons and pros in Hamiltons F1 career do you Will Wood feel that F1 has been indifferent/ aided or hindered SLH:s career?

   Personally reading your article makes me a mit wary.
   1. 

      notagrumpyfan
      23rd July 2023, 7:49

      Actually, the article starts with a reference to LH expressing “his heartfelt gratitude”.
      But I guess there will always be driver fans who think their hero is treated unfairly.

      IMO @WillWood is the least biased of all contributors on this site (maybe a bit generous towards Alonso), and I enjoy how he always includes some interesting statistics and nice-to-knows into his articles.
5. 

   MadMax (@madmax)
   23rd July 2023, 8:55

   Lewis didnt make the optimum last part of the map, but luckily Verstappen messed up his 2nd shot and also didnt utilize his cars pace in the first run. Lets see if Verstappen can keep his wits together at the start, as he usually is unable to drive clean against Hamilton.
   1. 

      SadF1fan
      23rd July 2023, 10:04

      You mean Hamilton can’t drive clean versus Verstappen.
      1. 

         Ajaxn
         23rd July 2023, 11:29

         At least Hamilton didn’t do a Russell.

         What on earth happened to Russell? This was yet another rookie mistake from the driver looking to take over from Hamilton. He had everything to lose in that position, why didn’t he just take off after Hamilton? Never mind building a gap?
      2. 

         MadMax (@madmax)
         23rd July 2023, 12:11

         Its the crashkid who always searches the contact.
      3. 

         Andy (@andyfromsandy)
         23rd July 2023, 12:29

         In the last coming together with Verstappen and Hamilton, Verstappen was adjudged to be at fault. Verstappen even made a stupid comment that he didn’t care he ruined Hamilton’s race.

         Although not life threatening Verstappen made that rather childish move while sim racing to take out a competitor who had perhaps wronged Verstappen earlier in the race.
6. 

   Esploratore (@esploratore1)
   23rd July 2023, 23:39

   You can see here on the best sector times how hamilton did a better job than verstappen: verstappen putting the sectors together had at least 2 tenths margin.

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