Pick the Podium - F-1 - Pirelli Magyar Nagydij, Budapest, Hungary, 2017

[Retroram52]

After a two-week lay-off and before an entire month of August break before the next race, the F-1 boys are in Budapest, Hungary this week. We shall see if Vettel and Raikkonen can return Ferrari to their winning ways after a resurgence by the Mercs and Red Bull. Should be interesting to see if Hamilton can continue to ride the momentum he began the last two races.

 

[Retroram52]

Wow, Ricciardo, leads Vettel and Bottas in FP2. Obviously Hamilton hasn't shown up yet!

 

[Retroram52]

Raikkonen is fourth and Hamilton is fifth.

 

[BoiseStateFan27]

Maybe Mercedes doesn't have the best of handle on the tight windy slow circuits?

Ferrari was quiet until today but they had the edge

This is a tough one this week because the teams are so close in competition, Vettel seems to be the favorite since he's on pole but Bottas has been strong lately you never know if he could make a charge, same with Hamilton and Ricciardo was very fast yesterday never know if he could pull something off.

In the midfield it looks like Force India has lost a step, Di Resta suddenly being forced into action hurts Williams but he didn't even finish that far off from Stroll. McLaren looks like they could grab a solid finish. I think Alonso will be starting 7th now so he can really get in some of the front runners way tomorrow with a good start.


Vettel
Bottas
Hamilton
Ricciardo

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel and Raikkonen take the front row in qualifying. Vettel looks stout but the last time Vettel was on the pole and Bottas was nearby, Bottas won the race with a first-lap stunning move. You never can count-out Hamilton either. Ricciardo is really playing it low-key but Red Bull is continuing to progress. The call this week is going to be a little tougher because of all this competition.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Vettel
Hamilton
Verstappen
Bottas

 

[Retroram52]

I'll go with Vettel, Bottas, Hamilton, Ricciardo

 

[BoiseStateFan27]

Much to all of our surprise, Raikkonen turned out to be the fastest driver today, but due to team orders remained behind Vettel who won

Verstappen ruined one of the best chances for Red Bull to challenge the top 2 with that error he made on lap one that took out Ricciardo.

Hamilton with easily the best showing of sportsmanship I have ever seen from him as he let his teammate Bottas back by him and allowed Bottas to earn 3rd place, while taking away points that I could have earned from my predictions.

Alonso had a fantastic race as this track helped reduce the disadvantage of the Honda engine

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel, who battled handling problems in the latter stages of the race, held-off a stiff challenge by Raikkonen who was turning some really fast laps. Ferrari should have just let this one play out. Hamilton was making a charge to the front as well.

Vettel takes it followed by Raikkonen, Bottas for third, and Hamilton for fourth.

 

[Retroram52]

Here is how we did:

BoiseStateFan27: 6 points- Correctly selected Vettel for the win
Hank Kingsley: 6 points- Correctly selected Vettel for the win
forty_three: 0 points- No-show
Retroram52: 6 points - Correctly selected Vettel for the win

Season totals:

BoiseStateFan27: 28 points
Hank Kingsley: 48 points
forty_three: 10 points
Retroram52: 56 points


Next up: Belgian Grand Prix, Aug 25-27, 2017.

 

[Retroram52]

Just a note for everyone. The next race is not until the end of August on the 25th through the 27th. We all have a whole month off. See you all then.