Hungarian Grand Prix F1 betting preview, free tips & TV details

TV: Sky Sports F1, 2.10pm Sunday

Max Verstappen has won seven grands prix without starting from pole position, so having finally secured a pole at the 94th attempt it's little wonder the popular Dutchman is odds-on for victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Top tip
Lewis Hamilton 5-2

Verstappen starts with two Mercedes and two Ferraris lined up behind him, so there will be no shortage of pressure on the Red Bull driver.

He has won two of the last three races, but began both of those, in Austria and Germany, by making terrible starts.

He's unlikely to get away with anything but a perfect launch in Hungary, where overtaking is notoriously difficult.

It was notable that Verstappen's pole was gained largely due to his huge advantage in the final sector of the lap, but most overtaking at the Hungaroring is done in the first three corners.

Despite topping two of the three practice sessions, Lewis Hamilton starts third having been outqualified by his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.

However, that may not be such a bad thing for the championship leader, as at the little-used circuit it is normally possible to make a much better start from the odd-numbered grid slots, which are on the cleaner, grippier side of the track.

There's no question Mercedes do not enjoy the same performance advantage they did earlier in the season, but Hamilton has a knack of finding ways to win.

Other markets
Hamilton & Vettel combination podium9-4
Toro Rosso double points finish7-2

Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel will be disappointed to be starting fourth and fifth. They were as fast as anyone through the first two sectors of the lap in qualifying but lost a huge chunk through the final corners.

It's hard to predict how that will translate in the race, but they could be a lot closer to the pace than the times suggest.

Vettel had appeared to be the faster Ferrari driver for much of the weekend, but he was pipped by 0.028 seconds by Leclerc in qualifying. However, that means the German will start on the cleaner side of the track, like Hamilton, and young Leclerc has been somewhat error-prone lately.

Vettel and Hamilton have shared the last four Hungarian Grand Prix victories and the old foes are worth a bet to share the Budapest podium this year.

Toro Rosso have been decent in high-downforce trim and Alexander Albon and Daniil Kvyat will be aiming for points from 12th and 13th on the grid.

Both performed superbly in the chaos of Germany last weekend, and they were also both in the points in Monaco, a circuit with which Hungaroring frequently draws comparisons.

Recommendations
L Hamilton
2pts 5-2 Betfred, Coral, Ladbrokes
Hamilton & Vettel combination podium
1pt 9-2 Sky Bet
Toro Rosso double points finish
1pt 7-2 bet365, Hills

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport