Following the Hungarian grand prix, 1996 world champion Damon Hill says he is ready to bet on a different outcome to this year's title chase.

The Englishman, who was in Budapest to commentate for British television, said before Sunday's 70-lap race that pole sitter and recent back-to-back race winner Lewis Hamilton seemed set to cruise to the chequered flag.

But even though Felipe Massa's Ferrari engine did not make it to the end of the race, the Brazilian was the surprise pacesetter at the Hungaroring and would have taken the championship lead if not for his reliability woes.

"Ferrari's pace is the real danger," Hill, who retired in 1999, is quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

"If you had asked me before the race in Hungary who I would put money on, I would have said Lewis, but I have to say I would want my bet back."

Hill, 47, believes McLaren driver Hamilton also would have been surprised about Massa's pace on Sunday.

"He said before the race 'I'm not counting any chickens and getting ahead of myself', but I'm absolutely certain he thought it was in the bag," the Briton said.

Source: GMM