The Hungarian Grand Prix, the thirteenth round of the 2022 Formula 1 season, was the last race ahead of the summer break, with teams and drivers currently enjoying some well-deserved time off. Max Verstappen won again at the Hungaroring, after an amazing comeback from tenth position. While Ferrari ran into yet another “strategic misadventure”, finishing the race with both cars outside the podium. Carlos Sainz was P4, Charles Leclerc even out of the top-5, precisely in sixth position, for one pit stop too many after mounting the (bad) Hard tires.
As usual after each event, Gian Carlo Minardi analyzed the events of the race in Budapest on his official website. The entrepreneur, as well as president of the FIA Single Seater Commission, believes that in Maranello they have something to analyze during this three-week rest period.
Analyzing the Hungarian Grand Prix, Minardi first of all stated: “It had to be the weekend of the Ferrari double and instead both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished outside the podium. It is certainly a day to be put under analysis at Ferrari as they have been committed several errors, both in terms of strategy and during pit stops in particular with the Spaniard. In these circumstances, the car was not up to par with Red Bull and Mercedes. With the same compounds, Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton was definitely performing better, so much so that the British champion marked the fastest lap of the race”.
Still dwelling on the situation at the Red team, he added: “At the moment the Ferrari package is not ready to win the world championship. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are without any blame, both did the best they could to overtake and defend. With a fourth and sixth place finish, however, they leave many points to their direct rivals, as does Ferrari in favor of a fast-growing Mercedes. They have three weeks to think about what went wrong at the Hungaroring and plan the last part of the season in the best possible way, with the aim of saving at least the second place in the constructors’ championship and the drivers’ standings”.
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Gian Carlo Minardi also had a few words of praise for Max Verstappen and Red Bull: “It is no surprise because he has accustomed us to even more sensational comebacks, but Max Verstappen deserves the title of “driver of the day.” He was able to attack at the start, then managing the advantage he gained. He made only one mistake, which could have cost him very dearly, but he was good and lucky to get the car back. He is supported by a team aware of his strength, which works in serenity without making mistakes. At this point of the world championship they just have to manage the great advantage they have gained” – he continued.
“For the second consecutive grand prix, Mercedes secured the podium with both of its drivers making a big leap forward in terms of standings. The changes they made are paying off and they were able to take valuable points away from Ferrari whose advantage has been reduced to just 30 points”- the founder and former Managing Director of the now-defunct Minardi Formula One team concluded.
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