Max Verstappen, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton took the spoils back then. However, Lando Norris somehow avoided the winner's trophy despite seeming the fastest man on the grid. The first half of the 2024 season saw six winners from 12 races. Might the second half that kicks off in Budapest on Sunday see a seventh?
Tyre talk and driver market speculation will feature heavily over the Hungarian GP weekend. Rumours that Esteban Ocon will join Haas have floated around for weeks, while Carlos Sainz's next team remains the blockage for other seats. Elsewhere, Sergio Perez's dire performances following his contract extension suggest that Red Bull and its sister team RB are assessing who might drive their cars in 2025 - or earlier. Could we see any confirmation over the Hungarian GP weekend?
On the tyre front, the Hungaroring famously gets quicker as the weekend progresses thanks to the cars adding grip to the track surface. That should happen faster in 2024, too, with tyres a step softer than last year's equivalents. The circuit isn't one for many on-track overtakes, so nailing a tyre strategy can be the key to getting past a rival.
After Pirelli's hardest tyres at Silverstone, it's the opposite for Hungary. We will see the C3, C4, and C5 compounds available for the drivers to race with. Two-stop strategies have become the norm for tackling the Hungaroring. How this softer tyre trio will fare in the Hungarian heat will be a subplot to monitor on Sunday.
Unlike the sensational Silverstone race we had last time, there's little chance of the Intermediate rubber featuring. Pirelli's grooved tyres changed the course of the British GP after rain hit the circuit a fortnight ago. For Hungary, however, it's all about handling the blazing heat. Sunday's forecasted high is 33°C with little cloud cover. Managing tyre blistering might be the best bet to take the chequered flag in P1.
What a difference a month makes. Mercedes has secured two consecutive wins, with the Silver Arrows even locking out the front row at Silverstone. Whether that means they're back to their dominant best is something Russell and Hamilton must now demonstrate. However, it's more likely that the cards just fell their way earlier in July, with Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari ready to pounce.
Verstappen still retains an air of being the default name you expect to find in P1. Although the reigning champion lost the last two rounds, he's extended his championship lead over the chasing pack. Verstappen's efforts over the first dozen races of this 24-round calendar have probably netted him the title. Yet he's in for an uncomfortable final 12 grands prix if the tide continues changing.
Norris currently occupies P2, with the 84-point deficit to Verstappen being the sizeable task he must close. Yet Norris has a high chance of victory in Hungary, thanks to the rocket ship McLaren has developed. Mclaren's failings that have denied the Briton more wins have been strategic rather than speed. If they can pull together ahead of August's summer break, Norris could be the one to challenge Verstappen for the title by Abu Dhabi.
To find out more about our comprehensive range of services, or to book your vehicle in, contact our friendly team of experts today.
We're back to the mainland Europe start times, so get all your Sunday chores done by 2 PM on Sunday if you want to watch live. Qualifying begins at 3 PM on Saturday, with the drivers occupying the front row having the best chance of victory at this hard-to-pass track.
Qualifying – On air: 2:15 PM, Session start: 3 PM Saturday 20th July
Race – On air: 12:30 PM, Session start: 3 PM 21st July
Race – Highlights: 6:30 PM Sunday 20th July
Race – On air: 6:30 PM Sunday 21st July
Qualifying/Race – It's going to be hot and dry in Hungary's capital city, with the 25 km dash to Mogyoród, the site of the Hungaroring, enjoying the same heat levels. Highs in the low 30s are forecast for all three days, and there is practically no chance of rain to help cool off.