Red Bull planned to start Hungarian GP on hard F1 tyres

With Max Verstappen starting down in 10th on the grid after his engine problem in qualifying, and team-mate Sergio Perez one place further back, Red Bull’s simulations had shown that the best route to deliver a good result was to have a long first stint on the hard.

But difficulties that both drivers had in switching even the soft tyre on en route to the grid prompted Red Bull to scrap its initial idea.

That proved to be a hugely significant move, as struggles that a number…