Hamilton sweats over record fifth Hungary victory

Image
AFP Budapest
Last Updated : Jul 21 2016 | 9:57 AM IST
Defending champion Lewis Hamilton faces a demanding and sweaty battle with his championship-leading Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and a potentially-rampant Red Bull team as he seeks a decisive victory at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.
The 31-year-old Briton, who is also aiming to complete a hat-trick of successive wins after triumphs in Austria and his home British event, can overhaul Rosberg's one-point lead in the title race with his first win in Hungary since 2013.
But he knows that the tight, twisting and, often, swelteringly hot Hungaroring circuit has not been kind to him, or Mercedes, in recent years as he bids for a record fifth success.
He currently shares the record for most wins at the track with seven-time champion Michael Schumacher. Both have won four times.
"The past couple of years, I haven't had the smoothest of weekends at Budapest," said Hamilton whose last win in Hungary was in 2013. "But I know I've got the pace, so I'm gunning to turn that around this time.
"I have incredible support there so I can't wait to get out the track. Ever since the low of Barcelona this year, I have been able to cultivate this really strong mental attitude.
"I'm feeling fresh, powerful and confident. I'm feeling that fire inside me."
By contrast, Rosberg, who endured a torrid weekend at the British Grand Prix, where he was penalised for a radio-communications infringement and saw his once-comfortable lead cut to a single point, has lost momentum since the Spanish race in May.
In six races since the F1 circus arrived at the Circuit de Catalunya, Rosberg has won only once while Hamilton has collected four wins to release his team-mate's grip on the championship.
Rosberg led by 43 points in May and goes into this race seeking his first win at a track that this weekend celebrates the 30th anniversary of the first Hungarian race and the first behind what was then known as 'the Iron Curtain'.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jul 21 2016 | 9:57 AM IST

Next Story