2024 Hungarian GP Odds: Verstappen Still Leads Picks

Verstappen Remains the Favorite Despite Other Teams' Success

July 16, 2024 227 4 minutes readF1 News

2024 Hungarian GP Odds: Why Max Verstappen still leads picks for pole position, win — FLORENT GOODEN / DPPI / DPPI via AFP

Favorites for victory
Pole position
Predictions

For the first time since late 2021, Lewis Hamilton stood on the top step of a Formula 1 podium at Silverstone. He made the right strategy work to eke out his first win of the latest generation of cars.

After a week off, the grid heads to one of Hamilton’s other top tracks, the Hungaroring. But the 2024 Hungarian GP Odds point to a familiar face – three-time defending F1 champion Max Verstappen – as the favorite.

Catch the Hungarian GP action! Visit Point Spreads for odds and predictions!

2024 Hungarian GP Odds: Favorites for victory

Max Verstappen (-140)

Verstappen likely could’ve chased Hamilton down for victory in Silverstone if there were a handful more laps in the race. Despite missing out on the win on Sunday, Verstappen extended his lead in the F1 standings to 84 points.

That’s more than three victories’ worth of points and puts him in a great position heading towards the summer break.

He’s won the last two races here, including a dominant win leading all 70 laps last season. McLaren may have the best all-around car at the moment. But Verstappen is driving well enough to overcome that and should be squarely in the fight for victory.

Lando Norris (+400)

Norris and McLaren squandered away a win in Silverstone with a wrong strategy call. It’s been six races since Norris’ win in Miami and the team has had the best car across that span with no wins to show for it.

Hungary could be much of the same. Norris finished second here last year and the car should be on pace once again. But these F1 betting odds take into account McLaren’s gaffes on strategy lately. On another track with high tire degradation, that could play a role.

George Russell (+800)

Russell likely would’ve at least been in the hunt for a podium if not for engine issues forcing just his second DNF of the season.

The Mercedes’ upgraded front wing has done wonders for their pace but it may not be the right track for it just yet. In Silverstone, Russell thrived on the high-speed areas that aren’t there in Hungary. He should be competitive but the car may not have the pace to win.

Lewis Hamilton (+850)

Hamilton’s on a high following a record ninth win at Silverstone. That win broke the Formula 1 record for most at a circuit with nine. He could equal his record again with a win here.

He’s notched eight wins at the Hungaroring in his career. Like Russell, it could be hard for him to have the pace over a full race distance but our F1 betting tips favor his track record. He’s the better pick to win among the two Mercedes drivers.

Pole position

Verstappen (+135)

Even in his dominant run over the last three F1 seasons, Verstappen hasn’t qualified for pole position in Hungary since 2019. Hamilton beat him by 0.003 seconds in the final part of qualifying last year to keep him from pole.

Other cars and drivers are much closer than Hamilton was to Verstappen last year. This will be a close fight for pole and he may not get it.

Norris (+285)

Norris qualified just 0.082 seconds behind Verstappen last year in Hungary. With a better car, he should be much closer and the frontrunner for pole position.

Russell (+400)

Hungary is slightly more rear-limited than the front and puts a premium on exit speeds out of corners. Even with their recent upgrades, this may be tough for Mercedes and Russell.

He earned his first career pole position here in 2022, which gives confidence that he could be on-pace again but pole is a big ask.

Hamilton (+450)

Hamilton’s track record could make the difference in qualifying, too. His pole position here last year in a slower car relative to the Red Bull was a shock.

A repeat this year would not be a surprise given his recent form and Mercedes’ improvement. It’d be tough considering the car’s strengths but not impossible.

Charles Leclerc (+1600)

Leclerc could have his best chance at pole position in a while this weekend. Since his win in Monaco from pole position, Ferrari has struggled in higher-speed circuits.

Hungary is the slowest of the tracks since Monaco and that could hide the car’s deficiencies. It’s a long shot for a reason but worth a flyer.

2024 Hungarian GP Odds: Predictions

With just two Formula 1 races left until the summer break, Hungary provides a familiar challenge. It’s one of the older events on the calendar and a slower, technical track with high tire degradation and limited opportunities for passing.

Hamilton (+450) is our pole position pick but Verstappen (-140) is our choice for the win. Our podium picks are Verstappen (-300), Norris (-150), and Russell (-110). Our picks for points finishers are: