Teams behind Mercedes hoping for good weekend

Williams might have to take a back seat in Hungary this weekend, despite dicing with Mercedes for victory last time out. And for its part, Ferrari is hoping Silverstone was just a downwards blip on its trajectory of 2015 resurgence, and that softer tyres and hotter weather will favour the SF15-T package.

At the same time, Williams' Valtteri Bottas thinks his Mercedes-powered car might struggle on the tight and twisty Hungaroring. "Hungary is for sure the most difficult track for us for the rest of the season," the Finn told Turun Sanomat newspaper. Teammate Felipe Massa, however, is less pessimistic. "This circuit wouldn't normally suit our car because it's quite low speed," he said, "but we have improved the car so much in recent races".

Also hoping for a good weekend are the Red Bull-owned teams, including Toro Rosso, who are similarly handicapped with an underperforming Renault engine whose role is not as important on the short straights of Hungary. Max Verstappen, for instance, said the layout is "a bit Mickey Mouse", which could suit what many believe is one of the very best chassis on the 2015 grid.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, however, thinks it is the races after the forthcoming summer break that could prove the real step forward. "We want to be on the podium and put pressure on Williams in the constructors' championship," he told the French magazine Auto Hebdo. "For me the best indication will be the first race after the summer break," said Horner. "Renault has not yet used its tokens and everyone is very much hoping for an improvement." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,453
  • Podiums 127
  • Grand Prix 235
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar