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Why Hungary won’t be the Monaco race F1 hoped for

Hopes were high that Red Bull could repeat its Monaco trick and challenge Mercedes in the Hungarian GP. But Friday practice represented a harsh reality check and insight into why the track changes in fact help Mercedes

Some Formula 1 teams are fond of describing the Hungaroring as 'Monaco without the walls'. There is some justification for this. It's a short and narrow track, with 14 turns - most of which are taken at less than 125mph, and a place where the cars run with all the downforce the teams can find.

"It's like Monaco," says Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo. "You don't really have much time to think. It's just corner after corner. You can zig-zag your way around." We all know how May's Monaco Grand Prix panned out. Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull were all contenders for pole; Ricciardo eventually claimed top spot on the grid; and but for a pitstop blunder he would have narrowly beaten Lewis Hamilton to victory in the race too.

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