Round 11 of the Championship and the final race prior to the traditional three weekAugust summer break takes Formula One to the cultural hotspot of Budapest this weekend for the Hungarian Grand Prix. In 1986, Hungary became the first EasternEuropean country to host a Grand Prix and has remained a permanent fixture on the calendar ever since. Over its 22 race history, the Hungaroring has provided thebackdrop for a host of dramatic racing outcomes and, with the competition so fiercethroughout the field, Formula One’s fans should be in for another thrilling Grand Prix thisweekend.
Nico Rosberg
Hungary is a very different track to the ones we’ve been racing at over the past fewGrands Prix. It has a similar layout to Monaco, a circuit which suited our car, and is atrack which really requires a different set-up direction to that which we’ve run at the past few races, so Hungary should be a better race for us. We did a good job in qualifyingthere last year and we then went well in the race, so I think we can look forward to agood weekend. It’s always very hot at Budapest, which can make it really tough, but it’snever a problem for me.
Kazuki Nakajima
I’ve never driven a Formula One car at the Hungaroring, but I raced there in GP2 lastyear and had a pretty good result. The circuit itself should suit our car, and we did a lot of work at the Jerez test last week on set-ups so we are well prepared. Budapest looks like a really cool place to visit. I obviously stayed in the city last year, but I didn’t havemuch of an opportunity to look around, maybe this year I’ll get out a bit more.
Sam Michael, Technical Director, Williams F1
The Hungaroring is a maximum downforce circuit that requires the driver to maintain asmooth driving style throughout the course of the lap because the car is almost alwayslaterally loaded. Concentration is therefore crucial for developing a good rhythm aroundthe lap.
As sustained high speed corner loading isn’t a problem in Hungary, Bridgestone will takethe Soft and Super Soft tyre compounds to Budapest. Strategy can be quite varied, withone, two and three stop strategies all used effectively in past races. Obviously such atight and twisty circuit demands a good qualifying performance and a strong start as it’sextremely difficult to overtake.
Budapest, Hungary
Similar to Monaco, the Hungaroring is a tight and twisty race track at which the drivershave to manage 14 slow speed corners over just one 4.3km lap. Combined with some of the shortest straights on the calendar, a maximum downforce package and a wellbalanced car are essential to achieve a competitive lap time. Engines will enjoy somecomparative respite this weekend as the cars will rev at full throttle for a maximum of 58% of the lap while average speeds will range between just 90km/h and 295km/h. Torque will be a critical requirement of the engine to power the cars out of the slowspeed corners, as will good mechanical grip and good traction.
Another effect of the corner sequencing will see the tyres experience intense thermal loads in Hungary as repetitive braking, cornering and acceleration events over the 70lap race will leave little opportunity for cooling. Together with the high ambienttemperatures common to Hungary which will push track temperatures in excess of 50°C,tyre wear will be at its peak this weekend.
Dust can also cause problems at the Hungarian Grand Prix, as the dirty track at the start of the race weekend distorts the data ahead of qualifying. Although the circuit evolvesthroughout the weekend, the track offers little grip off the racing line so the opportunitiesfor overtaking during the race are few and always risky. Qualifying position and pit-stopstrategy could therefore define the race result.
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