Red Bull’s Max Verstappen believes that the Hungaroring circuit will suit Ferrari, as he expects the Italian squad to be “very strong” at the track.
The Hungarian venue hosts the 13th round of the 2022 Formula 1 season this weekend, with Ferrari looking to bounce back from a difficult round in France.
Verstappen and Red Bull currently hold healthy leads in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships respectively.
Ferrari looked to be on course to win a third race in a row last time out at the Circuit Paul Ricard, before Charles Leclerc crashed out of the lead.
Verstappen has a chance to extend his championship lead beyond 70 points ahead of the summer break, but is anticipating that Ferrari will be the stronger team this weekend.
“I personally think it’s going to be a little bit harder for us,” he said. “Just purely one-lap performance, especially.
“I mean, I don’t expect it to be terrible but I do think that Ferrari is going to be super strong here, like, of course, they 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.”
Rain is also scheduled to fall on Saturday, which may disrupt the qualifying session and mix up the order.
“Also, the weather: I don’t know what’s going to happen, how much rain is falling,” Verstappen added.
“But all these things can come into play and can do many things to the result.”