JULY 22, 2015

Teams set to scrap behind Mercedes in Hungary

Williams might have to take a back seat in Hungary this weekend, despite dicing with Mercedes for victory last time out.

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)