Presentation – Hungarian GP: Seventy little laps and then they’re gone

« Its technical layout requires maximum concentration throughout the lap. There are many quick small direction changes, and the winding configuration means you always have to be on THE trajectory to achieve the best time. Such a layout and high temperatures make conditions difficult in the car, and you need a very good chassis to position yourself in the curve at the right moment, to have an excellent exit, and to smoothly transition to the next turn. »

A circuit as unique as it is, the Hungarian turnstile, as it is nicknamed, favors the most agile cars. Compared to sectors 1 and 3, where there are long parabola turns, sector 2 (turns 4 to 11) is a succession of tight curves and breaks that require fine tuning and, above all, the greatest precision to complete a very good lap. With these words, Stoffel Vandoorne aptly summarizes what every driver seeks to achieve. To do so, driving at the limit is necessary, even at the risk of exceeding it – like Lewis Hamilton did last year, when he made a spectacular right-angle turn in corner 11 during FP2.

Here’s a little tour for interested parties.

A historic race in more ways than one

Organized since 1986, the Hungarian Grand Prix was the first Formula 1 race to cross the Iron Curtain. While some editions had indeed taken place on Hungarian soil before the war and before the official creation of the Formula 1 World Championship in 1950, the 1986 edition was experienced as a true revelation for this part of Europe.

The circuit, winding and often described as daunting by many drivers, hasn’t seen much evolution since the 1980s, except for the extension of the start/finish straight to improve top speed and therefore promote overtaking with heavy braking at the entrance to the first corner.

However, some spectacular races have taken place at the Hungaroring. The clash between the two Brazilians, Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet, with the latter emerging victorious thanks to a sumptuous overtaking maneuver while sliding, notably marked the first edition.

Known for being not very conducive to overtaking, the track nevertheless offered some great duels such as during Nigel Mansell’s victory in 1989, who started from the middle of the grid and climbed up to the front to secure a memorable win at the wheel of his Ferrari.

Several drivers also claimed their first victory here, such as Fernando Alonso in 2003, Jenson Button in 2006, or Heikki Kovalainen two years later. Others, like Felipe Massa, have less joyous memories on this track, as during the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying, the Brazilian experienced the most serious accident of his career when he was struck in the face by a suspension element from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn GP, sidelining the Ferrari driver from Formula 1 for several months for a painful recovery. The following year, while driving a Williams, the starting record holder had his own scary moment, in an overtaking move against Michael Schumacher that went down in history.

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Will Hamilton ride the wave?

This Grand Prix is paradoxical to say the least. The first race of the second part of the season on paper (11/20), the Hungaroring nonetheless represents a pivotal moment. Before the summer break, Sunday’s result will set the tone for the finale of this year, which will start at Spa-Francorchamps.

To do this, all eyes will be on the Ferrari-Mercedes power struggle. Since Monaco, the scene of the Reds’ last victory, the trend has reversed. The reigning champions have regained the statistical upper hand, with three wins in the bag and an impressive score of 151 points out of 172 possible, only falling short at the famous Azerbaijan Grand Prix. While Mercedes was 19 points behind (179 vs 196) after the Principality meeting, they are now… 55 points ahead (330 vs 275)!

On an individual level, Sebastian Vettel’s lead has also melted like an ice cream on a summer beach. Two weeks ago on his home turf, Hamilton closed the gap to just one point: 177 vs 176. At the end of May, the four-time world champion was ahead by a victory: 129 vs 104!

Let’s recall for that matter that this comeback accelerated in Great Britain. On the way to the podium, Räikkönen (third at the finish) and then Vettel (seventh) both suffered a blowout on their front left tire in quick succession.

But the consistency of the two main title contenders remains very interesting. Both have scored in every race since the Malaysian Grand Prix in October 2016, which is exactly fifteen races and counting. A little curiosity in passing, after Rosberg last year, Hamilton faces another German driver. Twelve months ago, his victory in Budapest allowed him to take the lead in the championship for the first time in the season, against a certain Nico Rosberg, who had won the opening round in Australia at the time… just like Vettel last March, who’s been leading since!

For the latter, Hungary will mostly be an opportunity; a chance to rebuild a small safety cushion. His only local victory left a mark: in 2015, a few days after the death of Jules Bianchi.

On the other side, their teammates won’t be lacking in encouragement! Traditionally, a large Finnish contingent travels to Hungary to support their heroes. Kimi Räikkönen and Valtteri Bottas will therefore have the feeling of competing at home around the formidable circuit! The latter will have the chance to gauge his popularity after his second victory in Austria and his convincing second place at Silverstone, after climbing seven places. With a twenty-three point deficit, nothing is lost yet for the driver marked with number 77.

And obviously, caution. There are still 250 points to be distributed in this world championship.

Behind, the Red Bull team will once again seek to break away from the pack. The short wheelbase and aerodynamics of the RB13 offer its two drivers a promise of success on such a type of circuit. Especially since Daniel Ricciardo already knows the path to victory, after his impressive win here in changing conditions in August 2014.

Less powerful than a Mercedes or Ferrari engine, the Renault engine will also try to help Nico Hülkenberg end his cursed streak. Let’s remember that the German, with 125 Grand Prix participations, is only three races away from Adrian Sutil’s record. The record for the most starts without finishing on a podium! Fortunately, the RS17 seems to have turned a corner after a solid last weekend, finishing with a fine sixth place.

Even still in reserve, for sure, the team will fuel discussions. Jolyon Palmer’s seat is hot, and the rumor of an official return of Robert Kubica to Grand Prix racing is becoming more concrete. If his car allows him to start, the Briton will be fighting for his survival in Hungary. Meanwhile, the Pole will be behind the wheel during the mid-season private tests, held right after the race…

Another team under the spotlight, the McLaren-Honda duo must also take advantage of this weekend to score new points. The two points garnered in Baku won’t be enough to fill the gaps, and yet another underperformance would push Fernando Alonso even closer to leaving. After all, Sauber, their closest rival, is only three points away…

Finally, don’t forget to watch the young talents like a hawk. At Toro Rosso, Daniil Kvyat cannot afford a third consecutive crash in the first lap. Helmut Marko will be watching!

📅 #OTD 2015

A first podium for @kvyatofficial 🙌 #HungarianGP 🇭🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/OZoH3oEWF0 — Formula 1 (@F1) 26 July

To (really) know everything…

With such a winding circuit, one might have expected Pirelli to bring the ultra-soft tires. But the high temperatures that can be encountered in the region led the Italian manufacturer to prefer a classic choice.

Find the individual choices of the drivers:

The #HungarianGP #Fit4F1 orders are in! https://t.co/omNrqMpVlL

— Pirelli Motorsport (@Pirellisport) 19 juillet /f1/actualite/22174-robert-kubica-dans-la-renault-pour-les-essais-prives-en-hongrie.html

To be able to use the DRS, drivers will have to be within one second of their predecessor at the entrance of the last corner (T14) in order to benefit from the system on the start-finish line, as well as between turns 1 and 2.

If you look up at the sky, you will notice that it will be partially cloudy throughout the weekend, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 26°C in the morning and between 27 and 30°C for the afternoon sessions. Unlike Silverstone, no rain is expected, whether for the qualifications or for the race.

Don’t forget the TV schedule!