2013 Hungarian GP Preview

OK F1 fans! The wait is almost over. In one week it's time for the Hungarian Grand Prix. A track where it's hard to overtake and also a place were surprises are more than welcome. 

We all remember one of the biggest surprises - Jenson Button's first victory back in 2006 with Honda. It was a very exiting GP and in my opinion the excitement started when Räikkönen retired from the lead. Liuzzi (as a backmarker) braked to fast in front of him and Kimi smashed his silver arrow into his back almost flying over him.  

Later Renault had a bad pitstop with Alonso therefor he lost a wheel and needed to retire. Alonso did not retire very often back then because Renault was a very good and reliable car just like Red Bull is today.

Fisichella and Schumacher could have had a good race but they spun of the track ruining it.

Another driver who could have ruined his GP but didn't - Pedro de la Rosa! He was second which was his best result ever. Pedro had replaced Montoya after he had made his last mistake with McLaren by crashing into Räikkönen in the American Grand Prix. Now in 2013 Montoya is racing in Nascar.

The 2006 Hungarian GP was also Robert Kubica's first race in F1. I knew right away that this guy is going to be a star! Unfortunately he is not driving in F1 anymore because of the rally accident in 2011. Kubica scored his first 2 points in his first GP but was disqualified after his car failed to meet post-race minimum weight requirements. 

But in the end we all remember this face! (picture below)

Last but not least a "few" words about the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Which drivers are usually good in this race? -Kimi Räikkönen and Lewis Hamilton.. and maybe Jenson Button if there is surprises but let's focus on Lewis and Kimi.

2001 - Kimi was 7th with Sauber which was pretty ok with that car.

2002 - Kimi was 4th leaving him just barely outside of the podium.

2003 - Kimi was 2nd after starting from 7th on the grid.

2004 - Kimi retired after having electrical problems with his McLaren

2005 - Kimi takes the checkered flag 35,5 seconds faster than Schumacher and wins!

2006 - Kimi retires from first position overtaking nervous back-markers on a very slippery track.

2007 - Lewis wins in Hungary for the first time! And guess who was 2nd? Kimi!

2008 - Kimi was 3rd when Heikki Kovalainen took his only victory with McLaren.

2009 - Lewis wins again and guess who is 2nd this time? Kimi again!

2010 - Lewis had gearbox issues and Kimi had left F1 in the end of 2009.

2011 - Lewis was fourth when his team mate Jenson Button took another victory in Hungary.

2012 - Lewis wins for the third time in Hungary and after coming back to F1 Kimi is again 2nd only 1 second behind Lewis. The press asked Kimi if the victory was possible if there had been one more lap? Kimi answered "Yes but there wasn't and I didn't win". Lewis said to Kimi "You guys (Lotus) were really fast!"

Not much have changed after last year. The cars are pretty much the same only Lewis is driving for Mercedes which isn't as good as McLaren was last season.

My guess is..

1 - Kimi Räikkönen, Lotus

2 - Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull

3 - Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

Fastest Lap - Fernando Alonso

Possible surprises - I believe McLaren will remind us that they are still in this sport.

Bonus - 2012 Hungarian GP Race Edit (F1.com)