F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Verstappen expecting 'super strong' Ferrari in Hungary

Max Verstappen is forecasting a potentially tough weekend for Red Bull around the Hungaroring's winding layout where he expects Ferrari to be "super strong".

Red Bull's RB18 typically comes into its own on around a track's long sweeps that cater to its optimized ground effect aerodynamics.

But at a venue characterized by its tight and twisty layout that features an abundance of medium-speed corners, Red Bull will have its work cut out for it according to Verstappen, especially if rain showers, forecast for Saturday, throw a wrench into the works.

"Yes, personally I think it’s going to be a little bit harder for us, just purely [on] one-lap performance especially," he said.

"I mean, I don’t expect it to be terrible, but I do think that Ferrari’s going to be super strong here, like they of course have been the whole year, but I do think that this is a track where they might be, let’s say, very strong.

"But we’ll see. Also, the weather, I don’t know what’s going to happen, how much rain is falling, but all these things can come into play, and it can do many things to the result."

Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez significantly under-performed the Dutchman at Paul Ricard last weekend where he finished off the podium in fourth place.

But this year's Monaco Grand Prix winner is aiming to put himself back in the mix in Hungary, and then hit the ground running at Spa after F1's summer break..

"We’re going to be trying a few things this weekend, so hopefully [we can] get on top of everything," Perez said.

"I’ve been more at home with the car, let’s put it that way, than in recent weekends, but there is nothing that really stands out.

"I think we should be able to sort it out quickly and get back on the form we’ve been in the whole season, basically.

"I think these next four races, four weekends are very crucial in the championship."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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