Last week it was the tension between the Red Bull racers that had the F1 world talking, this week the questionable race tactics of Ferrari at Hockenheim has ignited the motorsport media.

At the German GP Felipe Massa was leading when he was allegedly ordered to let teammate Fernando Alonso past. (Alonso had a better position in the Drivers' Championship.) The Ferraris went on to take a rare one-two finish but were subsequently charged with breaking International Sporting Code. They were fined US$100,000 by the FIA and may still faces further sanctions.

However, in a slap in the face to punters everywhere, the result was allowed to stand. Team tactics are nothing new in motorsport but were 'supposedly' banned in Formula 1, opening up the sport to lucrative betting markets globally. We can study a driver's form and his car's performance but how can we know when a team director will pull a swifty to alter the result of an event? Can you imaging Bart Cummings ordering one of his runners in the Cup pulling over to let another horse past?

While debate rages about the questionable tactics of Ferrari at the German GP, the racing takes place this weekend at Hungaroring, Hungary.

The Hungaroring is one of the shorter tracks currently used for Formula 1 at only 4.4 kilometres in length. It contains a number of very tight turns and is considered one of the most physically demanding venues for the drivers. It's bumpy and tough on tyres. Precise cornering is more important than outright speed. Webber recorded the fastest lap here last year while Michael Schumacher holds the outright lap record set in 2004.

Last year the race was won by Jensen Button in the Brawn, the sixth and final win of his Championship season. This year the race represents an opportunity for many in the field to make their mark. The tighter layout at Hungaroring means lower speeds and more chances for those outside the top three or four to have an impact.

Despite its dubious tactics, Ferrari demonstrated last weekend that the championship leaders can be caught on the right venue with the right set-up, and tuning the cars to suit the circuit will again be critical in Hungary. The best way for Ferrari to make the bad publicity go away will be for them to put in another big performance. I think they can again figure on the podium, but I won't be betting on Felipe Massa.

Hamilton and Button were not as sharp in the McLarens in Germany. Recent performance gains by the team have delivered the top spots in the Championship to the British pair but there can be no doubt the cars were not on the pace at Hockenheim. Perhaps they need to emulate the new 'flexible' front wing solution used by both Ferrari and Red Bull last week to once again bring them to the front of the grid.
One theory is that McLaren, with both its drivers at the top of the table, have opted for a more conservative approach to racing. But with eight rounds remaining in the Championship this approach could be fraught with danger.

The team in the best position to upset McLaren is, of course, Red Bull. Dumped abruptly from the headlines this week, Red Bull must be pondering what they need to do to get a win for Sebastian Vettel from pole position. From six pole positions this season the German has only been able to convert one of them into a Grand Prix victory. His last two starts have been dismal, prompting comments that he is spending too much time looking in his mirrors. But if Vettel can get off the line cleanly, both he and Mark Webber can gain some valuable points in Hungary.

The cat was put amongst the pigeons last week when Ferrari upset the McLaren and Red Bull apple carts. Look for both teams to hit back with a bigger effort on Sunday. As usual Robert Kubica will also be lurking thereabouts in the Renault. And no matter how far he is in front, don't bet on Felipe Massa!