Button and Brawn can get F1 season back on track
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX, SUNDAY 1PM, BBC 1
THE FORMULA ONE season is past its halfway point and Brawn GP’s shock domination of earlier in the year is, after nine races, neither a shock nor even much of a domination. The Red Bull car has been the other revelation of the season and while Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber have found their feet to secure two one-twos and a two-three in the last three races, the Brawn team have been hit by minor hitches, sub-optimal conditions and murmurs of dissent in the ranks.
Unsurprisingly, after his first chequered flag two weeks ago, Webber’s odds of 4/1 with Boylesports for victory on Sunday are considerably shorter than the 18/1 available for races prior to Silverstone, but I believe he will struggle at the Hungaroring. Bettorlogic’s analysis reveals that only once in the last 20 races here has the winner of the previous race taken maximum points. The McLaren team has seen most success in Budapest over the last few years, winning three of the last four races, but the story of their season is well known and despite significant modifications to the car I don’t expect to see Hamilton better his fourth in Bahrain this weekend.
Ross Brawn is rightly optimistic about his team’s chances in Hungary as there is plenty in his favour. Both drivers have won here before, Barrichello in the Ferrari in 2002 and Button in 2006, his solitary win in the Honda cockpit. The tight track and dusty conditions will take their toll on the drivers and experienced hands like Button and Barrichello should cope better than most. Furthermore, the Brawn car is set up to excel in warmer conditions which should certainly be the case in Hungary so I suggest backing Button for victory at around 11/4 on Betdaq and wouldn’t put anyone off an each-way bet on Barrichello at 12/1 with Boylesports.
It will pay to keep a close eye on the grid placements tomorrow and even the practice session later today. The Hungaroring has been likened to a street circuit because of the difficulty in overtaking, so pole position is critical.
Button should challenge for the front row – pole has gone to the Championship leader in 10 of the last 18 races in Hungary – and if he does get to lead on the grid he is likely to reap the rewards. He has finished higher or equal to his starting position in all but one race this season and with that in mind, a buy of Sporting Index’s ‘Full Monte’ special for Button – where 25 points are awarded for each of pole, victory and fastest lap, with a 25 point bonus for all three – at 23, looks like a decent shout.
POINTERS…
Jenson Button to win at 11/4 on Betdaq
Rubens Barrichello e/w at 12/1 with Boylesports
Buy Button ‘Full Monte’ at 23 with Sporting Index