So on we move in the Formula 1 world championship battle to the scene of much controversy in the 2007: the Hungaroring in Budapestfor the Hungarian Grand Prix.
I predicted that Lewis would win Silverstone and Hockenheim, and I must ask: is it really possible that we can see a triple from Hamiltonafter watching him win at the last two Grand Prix?
This feat has not seen in F1 since Schumacher took the U.S., Magny Cours, and Hockenheim in a row in 2006.
Drivers Standings After 10 Rounds
Lewis Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes - 58 points.
Felipe Massa - Scuderia Ferrari - 54 points.
Kimi Raikkonen - Scuderia Ferrari - 51 points.
Robert Kubica - BMW Sauber - 48 points.
Nick Heidfeld - BMW Sauber - 41 points.
Heikki Kovalainen - McLaren Mercedes - 28 points.
Jarno Trulli - Toyota - 21 points.
Mark Webber - Red Bull Racing - 18 points.
Fernando Alonso - Renault - 13 points.
Rubens Barrichello - Honda - 11 points.
Nelson Piquet - Renault - 10 points.
Nico Rosberg - Williams - 8 points.
Kazuki Nakajima - Williams - 8 points.
David Coulthard - Red Bull Racing - 6 points.
Sebastian Vettel - STR - 6 points.
Timo Glock - Toyota - 5 points.
Jenson Button - Honda - 3 points.
Sebastian Bourdais - STR - 2 points.
McLaren seem to be on top of things right now. They have a brilliant car with huge pace, great team morale, two fantastic drivers working as a unit, and Ferrari are falling back to help the cause.
It's still a fantastic season. Every driver (excluding Fisichella and Sutil) has scored points, although it would have been different had Super Aguri not been kicked out; they had no points before their demise.
It was here last season that Fernando Alonso blocked Lewis Hamilton in the pit lane during Q3 and prevented the young Briton from completing another flying lap.
Alonso was demoted five grid places from pole to sixth, and Hamilton promoted to pole position, from where he dominated the race throughout to win.
The Hungaroring is quite a special place for Britain. We saw Jenson Button take his first and only Grand Prix win here in 2006 after a wet race threw proceedings into disarray. It was the Hungaroring’s only wet Formula 1 race in history. Then, there was that special win last year for Lewis.
The Hungaroring is situated in Mogyorod, a place not far from the capital of Budapest. It was voted ahead of Budapest itself as the third nicest place in Hungary to visit.
The circuit is referred to as Magyjar Nagydij. It became the first GP to be held behind the Iron Curtain in 1986, and Brazilian Nelson Piquet won. after an enormous battle with Ayrton Senna . The track also holds the record for the quickest race circuit built, as construction only took eight months.
It underwent changes in 1989, removing the chicane after turn three, the pit straight was lengthened by 200 metres, and the hairpin of turn one was tightened to aid overtaking manouvres.
The Hungaroring has a virtually flat surface with only one area of the circuit having elevation change just after turn three.
The Circuit
4.381 Kilometres, 2.722 Miles in length.
There are 16 corners in total.
70 racing laps with the drivers traveling 306.880 km during a race.
It is used for GP2 races and F1 races only. It was previously used for DTM and FIA GT Races, too. There is also a drag race each month in which members of the public participate.
Lap record: Michael Schumacher, Scuderia Ferrari, 2004 with a 1:19.071.
Last Pole Position - Lewis Hamilton, McLaren Mercedes, 2007.
Last Winner - Lewis Hamilton, McLaren Mercedes, 2007.
Last 10 Winners
Lewis Hamilton, 2007.
Jenson Button, 2006.
Kimi Raikkonen, 2005.
Michael Schumacher, 2004.
Fernando Alonso, 2003.
Rubens Barrichello, 2002
Michael Schumacher, 2001.
Mika Hakkinen, 2000.
Mika Hakkinen, 1999.
Michael Schumacher, 1998.
My Race Prediction for 2008
1. L Hamilton, McLaren
2. K Raikkonen, Ferrari
3. N Heidfeld, BMW Sauber
4. H Kovalainen, McLaren
5. F Massa, Ferrari
6. S Vettel, STR
7. R Kubica, BMW Sauber
8. F Alonso, Renault
9. M Webber, RBR
10. D Coulthard, RBR
I have had two winners predictions in a row correct now. Could it be my triple in predictions too? I hope so. If I am right, Lewis will start building a comfortable lead.
I truly believe Hamiltoncan take another 10 points at the Hungaroring. He is on fire, and it's going to take some special driving from the rest of the field to peg him back.
I think Kimi will find his way back again, too, but the Ferrari's will still not be on McLaren's level, as they have found the MP4-23's sweet spot. Plus, with the new package that's waiting for them at Hungary, they will be super quick .
Sebastian Vettel also seems to have a spring in his step. After signing for Red Bull Racing from 2009 onwards, we should watch out for him again here. He is out to prove himself further. He is punching well and truly above his weight, and long may it continue.
So Bleachers, I've laid my cards on the table early, are my predictions realistic? Can Lewis take the treble? Who do you think will win? Comment on and rate the article too, please, Bleachers.
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2 months ago
Good stuff mate ... Can he get the triple ... HELL YEAH HE CAN !
2 months ago
Hell yeah he can win the triple , he did say this is one of hi favourites . if he is in the same mood of the last 2 race weekends then he will storm it .
Cheers Mate .
2 months ago
Lewis is going to win hungaroring again , and he will be the champion at the end of the year , he has matured hugely in 4 weeks .
It seems that every time people criticize him , he comes back stronger , and thats what is the key to a true champion . Ferrari fans onthis site are running scared of hamilton right now thats why they are all crying foul , i aint gettin involved .
but they fear for everything ferrari stands for, as their title is slipping away .
great article mate .
2 months ago
great stuff! i have similar predictions... hamilton for the win!!!!! i don't expect kubica to be so far back though.
2 months ago
Thanks Billy .
I do think he can grab this triple , he is on fire for sure .
Kubica has fell off the pace a little , i hope my prediction regarding Robert is wrong , i like him . Maybe we can swap kubica and vettel around then Kubica 6th vettel 7th .
however the race order finishes , its exciting stuff as always , this is my most enjoyable season since .......last season ha ha , i went off f1 when there was only one man winning it all , then when alonso won his first wdc it got my interest right back .
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