This weekend F1 heads to the Hungaroring, situated on the Northwest outskirts of Budapest. First run in 1886, the Hungarian Grand Prix is known for producing winners who do not go on to win the driver’s championship. Pole position is key on this curvy track where overtaking is especially difficult; many drivers liken to Monaco without walls. As a matter of fact, the Hungaroring is the slowest permanent circuit on the F1 calendar in terms of average speed.
Red Bull goes into the weekend with their heads down after two races in Austria showed that their car is lacking the speed necessary to challenge Mercedes like they expected to in the lead-up to the season. No doubt everyone from the aerodynamicists, setup engineers, and Honda are working to bring more performance to the table. In Hungary we could expect one car on the podium but a win would take some extra luck. AlphaTauri is a bit closer to where they expected to be; however, with Racing Point being so strong this year, they, too, will have to fight harder to earn the points they seek. Expect one car in the points at Hungary.
Elsewhere on the grid, if the first two races are any indication, Mercedes will be extremely difficult for any team to beat. Usually reserved for Ferrari, we will now talk about Racing Point and their “pink Mercdedes” as a potential podium candidate. Ferrari’s woes continue with their power unit, aero, and drivers. Maranello is rumored to be bringing a narrower nose to Hungary, a concept several other teams have switched to years ago. Still our expectations must remain subdued. McLaren is looking very strong, particularly with Lando Norris. Expect a Renault to slot in close to the McLaren. With Haas showing its car doesn’t lose ground like last year’s car, they may be able to steal a point here if they optimize their setup. Expect Alfa Romeo to be very close and intermixing with Haas cars. Finally, Williams is still expected to be down the order but it is clear they are making progress.
US TV SCHEDULE
Friday, July 17 – Practice One – 4.55AM – ESPN2
Friday, July 17 – Practice Two – 8.55AM – ESPN2
Saturday, July 18 – Practice Three – 5.55AM –
ESPNEWS
Saturday, July 18 – Qualfying – 8.55AM –
ESPN
Sunday, July 19 – Build-up show – 7.30AM –
ESPN
Sunday, July 19 – British Grand Prix – 9.05AM –
ESPN
CIRCUIT INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length: 4.381km (2.722 miles)
Race laps: 70
Race distance: 293.527km (182.389 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’17.103 by Max Verstappen
Maximum speed: 295kph (183.304 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Pit straight and second straight
Distance from grid to turn one: 610m
Car performance
Full throttle: 54%
Longest flat-out section: 908m
Downforce level: High
Fuel use per lap: 1.4kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.042s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2013: 21.343s by Red Bull
2020 tyre choices: Hard (C2), Medium (C3), Soft (C4) (2019 Hard (C2), Medium (C3), Soft (C4))
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2019 RESULTS
Laps: 70
Pole: Max Verstappen, 1:14.572
Fast race lap: Max Verstappen, 1:17.103
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
3. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 43
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 37
3. Lando Norris, McLaren, 26
4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 18
5. Sergio Perez, Racing Point, 16
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 15
7. Carlos Sainz, McLaren, 13
8. Alex Albon, Red Bull, 12
9. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, 6
10. Lance Stroll, Racing Point, 6
Constructors
1. Mercedes, 80
2. McLaren, 39
3. Red Bull, 27
4. Racing Point, 22
5. Ferrari, 19
6. Renault, 8
7. AlphaTauri, 7
8. Alfa Romeo, 2
9. Williams, 0
10. Haas, 0
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