Hungarian GP: Predictions from Friday Morning’s Practice
As Friday’s first practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix ends, Red Bull maintains their dominance on the track. Both the Red Bull drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber were able to finish at the first two places respectively.
Red Bull has done very well all through the season and stand at second place of the Constructors’ Championship so far. The team decided to carry the race with their flexible front wings, though Ferrari had removed theirs for this season. Red Bull has been able to bag five race wins this season but lost its top position on the charts because of in-fighting and rivalry that was very evident at the Turkish Grand Prix and later at the British Grand Prix.
On the other hand, the Red Bull team is simply the best one of the season, possessing the fastest cars as well as two of the best drivers of the season. The team that was the first one to use the blown diffuser this season, later followed by many others, is expected to give the toughest competition here at Hungary.
The third place was secured by the Renault Driver, Robert Kubica, while its other driver, Vitaly Petrov, ended the practice at thirteenth place. On the final race day Kubica might be able to finish in the top six. However, Rubens Barrichello of Williams has also shown great form. Barrichello was able to finish among the top five in Valencia and later in Silverstone though he did not score any points in Germany. But the experienced driver has been able to pull the Williams car far beyond expectations.
Friday’s fourth place was saved by Jenson Button while his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, who currently tops the Drivers’ Charts was hardly able to make it up to eighteenth place. In a pre-race press conference Hamilton said that their car stands at third place when it comes of pace, followed by Red Bull and Ferrari. However, this was not the first time they had announced this but still both teammates have always been able to get the best out of their cars and stand at first and second places in the Drivers’ Standings. Once again Button has done well in practice showing the team’s capabilities. But McLaren has always been far better on the race day than in the qualifying or practice as Button started the British Grand Prix at fourteenth place while ended it at fourth.
Ferrari’s drivers, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa ended at seventh and twelfth slots respectively. Yet one cannot underestimate them for the reasons that they have the second fastest car of the season, and now it is a matter of their pride to finish in the top slots. After the heat and controversy that they faced after last month’s race.
About Mercedes one cannot predict something extraordinary though they have ended the practice session at eighth and ninth places. But the entire season has not been a lucky one for them, especially their home race in Germany last week.
Force India’s good results can be expected from Adrian Sutil, who ended the morning at eleventh place and has been able to bag thirty five points all through the season so far.
Among the rookie drivers, Nico Hulkenberg could be expected to finish the race among the top ten as he had been successful in ending the first practice at tenth place. Williams seem to be getting some momentum in the past few races.
Two more practice sessions and then one qualifying session are left before the final race day. Tables could turn any time so keep your fingers crossed as you hope to see your favourite team winning the race.
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