Hamilton feels at home in Hungary

WHEREVER THE world of Formula One pitches up, Lewis Hamilton is prone to say: ‘‘This is one of my favourite circuits.’’

Here in Budapest in Hungary, though, he really means it.

He has won four times at the Hungaroring (2007, 2009, 2012 and 2013) and another victory overnight would see him pass Michael Schumacher to become the most successful of all drivers at this twisty venue.

‘‘I just generally love the track. It’s an old classic circuit and they don’t make them like this any more. There’s a lot of braking and that’s where I gain my time, generally. You do have to throw the car around more. It’s been a good track for me.’’

Hamilton, yet again, needs to win. He has driven brilliantly this season and won five races to his only rival Nico Rosberg’s four. But, because of mistakes in qualifying and mechanical mishaps, he is behind once more, this time by 14 points. A win now, even if it only halves his points deficit, would be timely before the summer break.

‘‘I don’t want a deficit, you never do and I really feel that I’m driving at my best in races.’’

In qualifying, though, he admits he has missed chances.

Hamilton is hoping for a reprise of his experience here last year, when he hooked up the circuit for each of the three days and was a class apart from his rivals.

Jenson Button won here in 2006 and 2011 (his 200th race) but, unlike Hamilton, cannot expect more glory here.

‘‘We all want to win but at the moment there’s only two guys who can do that,’’ he said, referring to the Mercedes pair.

‘‘The other 20 of us are fighting for the smaller points and the last

I just generally love the track. It’s an old classic circuit and they don’t make them like this any more . . . It’s been a good track for me.

Lewis Hamilton, above, during practice ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix

place on the podium.

‘‘This year we won’t win a race but who knows what will happen next year. That’s the great thing about the sport – we don’t know what is going to happen next year.

‘‘I will race as long as I am enjoying it. Even when not finishing that high up you can still enjoy it.

‘‘I’ve still got the best job in the world. It’s just not as good as the two guys who are winning at the moment.’’