Hungarian GP 2010: full preview

The Hungaroring circuit, the host for the Hungarian GP and the 12th round of the 2010 F1 season, doesn’t often provide an arena for a great race unless it rains.

With its short straights and dusty surface off-line, the potential for overtaking is almost non-existent.

See the pics from the German GP

Despite that, there is plenty of intrigue surrounding the race.

The drivers’ championship is incredibly close. Lewis Hamilton leads with 157 points from teammate Jenson Button who has 143. Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel are both on 136, while German GP winner Fernando Alonso is fifth with 123.

Equally, the controversy surrounding Ferrari’s decision to move Felipe Massa aside to allow Alonso to win the German GP is still swirling round the paddock.

Read the report of the German GP

The track layout should suit the Red Bulls with its aerodynamic advantage paying dividends in the fast corners round the back of the circuit and the team’s power disadvantage – due to the Renault engine – will be nullified by the short straights.

McLaren will be unlikely to shine in contrast. Their cars’ main strength is their straight-line advantage gained from its Mercedes power and F-duct system.

The team’s only chance of closing the gap to Red Bull and Ferrari is if they manage to copy those teams’ clever new front wings. McLaren admitted this week that they don’t know how they work.

After Hockenheim, it would be foolhardy to bet against Ferrari being able to challenge Red Bull at the front, but it will be interesting to see if Force India is able to get back on the pace after a dismal German GP.

Robert Kubica could be a good value too based on his qualifying performance at Monaco – a circuit quite similar to the Hungaroring.

My bet for the race win: Vettel leading a Red Bull one-two

Andrew Papworth

Read the latest F1 race reports, blogs, news and video