112 replies to this topic

[Lotus53B]

Or, Hungarian Grand Prix 2015 if you prefer.

 

No thread yet, so here's a few notes I jotted down.

The first Grand Prix to be held in Hungary was in 1936, at Népliget in Budapest.  It was a popular event, but shortly thereafter war and politics intervened, and Grand Prix racing disappeared for 50 years.

Half a century later, Bernie wrangled the first F1 race behind the Iron Curtain - can it be mere co-incidence that 3 years later the Berlin Wall fell, and the Iron Curtain was dismantled?  Yes, it can.  

The Hungaroring, a former potato farm, is a circuit that polarises opinions.  I like it, I think it offers a different challenge to most circuits - a twisty wee thing of only 4.3km, with no long straights, often very dusty through lack of use, it is quite hard to drive.  It does tend to be slightly processional, even after a few alterations.  It runs for 70 laps, and the track is in a bowl so the cars are very visible, and so it's popular with folk who visit.  Being one of the cheaper races to attend may also be a factor.  Until 2006, it had never had a wet race - so 20 dry races in a row - and Jenson Button's first win.  Lewis has won here 4 times, Jenson twice, Fernando once (in 2003!), Daniel Ricciardo won last year, Kimi in 2005.  Damon Hill nearly achieved a phenomenal victory in 97 in an Arrows-Yamaha, but it stuck in 2nd on the last lap allowing Villeneuve through.

The current lap record is 1.25.724, set by Nico Rosberg in Mercedes, who also holds the Pole record at 1.22.715.

 

EDIT- the above is actually last years times Marklar below has the correct figures (it was early, no coffee, Wikipedia...an accident waiting to happen)

 

The current forecast at http://www.wundergro...?query=Budapest indicates chances of rain through Friday and Saturday, but likely a dry Sunday.

As I say, I enjoy it, so I'll join you all at the weekend.

Edited by Lotus53B, 20 July 2015 - 08:31.

[Marklar]

The lap record is 1:19.0 set by Schumacher in 2004 and the pole record is 1:18.7 set by Vettel in 2010. You have listet the last years fastest lap and pole...

[scheivlak]

The lap record is 1:19.0 set by Schumacher in 2004 and the pole record is 1:18.7 set by Vettel in 2010. You have listet the last years fastest lap and pole...

Rubens Barrichello was even faster in Q1 (the low fuel single lap Q run to determine the order of rank in Q2) in 2004: 1.18.436.

[SealTheDiffuser]

the cars will melt http://www.myweather...uit.aspx?sday=6

Edited by SealTheDiffuser, 20 July 2015 - 08:45.

[redraven9]

As a Hungarian, I never knew that the first GP was in the Népliget. Thanks for the info!

[molpid]

As a Hungarian, I never knew that the first GP was in the Népliget. Thanks for the info!

 

Some background info:
http://jalopnik.com/...-street-circuit

[superden]

Is there a GP? I'd genuinely forgotten.

[Strontiumdog]

This can be added tot he OP if need be as a point of reference 

 

First Grand Prix: 1986
Number of Laps: 70
Circuit Length: 4.381 km
Race Distance: 306.63 km
Lap Record: 1:19.071 (Michael Schumacher, 2004)
2014 Pole Lap: 1:22.715

 

 

 

 

 

 

FP1

 

 

 

FP2

 

 

FP3

 

 

Qualifying 

 

 

 

Race Results 

 

 

 

Last Year Pole Lap

 

 

 

Tyre Allocation

 

P Zero White medium and P Zero Yellow soft tyres have been nominated

Edited by Strontiumdog, 20 July 2015 - 10:25.

[OvDrone]

Love this track and it's the closest to me, just 300 miles away. And it has a special place in my heart because it's the only (yet) GP I ever attended back in 2001 when Michael (keep fighting dude) won his fourth WDC.

 

About the weather, this past week and the week following in this particular part of Europe it's been a proper oven. I heard something about rain on Friday/Saturday. Hope that's the case. It's hell over here.

[Marklar]

No probs mate I also didnt had it entirely correct

[KOMORI]

Man those Merc's were geared long back then..

[Ruusperi]

 

 

 

 

That map is outdated. The track has (sadly) only 2 gravel traps nowadays. Here's a better map.

 

 

Here's how it used to look

Edited by Ruusperi, 20 July 2015 - 11:07.

[Zava]

Interesting, there seems to be a tiny star destroyer in the parking lot.

[TomNokoe]

I pray that this European heatwave carries on toward Sunday. 38 degree heat, massive track temp, it will reak havoc with the cars. Just that unpredictable variable we might need. It may finally throw a spanner in Pirelli's plans as well, these 1 stoppers have been so tedious.

[redraven9]

I pray that this European heatwave carries on toward Sunday. 38 degree heat, massive track temp, it will reak havoc with the cars. Just that unpredictable variable we might need. It may finally throw a spanner in Pirelli's plans as well, these 1 stoppers have been so tedious.

Dying at home but an exciting race? Hm.... In

[Marklar]

Dying at home but an exciting race? Hm.... In

We had two weeks ago during the British GP 37 ° C here in Germany, you can survive it   (eventhought I leaved for some minutes during the GP to buy some ice cream for the family and I missed out the start of the rain, maybe I should always leave for some minutes during the race  )

Edited by Marklar, 20 July 2015 - 13:21.

[TomNokoe]

Typically, it seems it'll hit 37 on Thursday, but drop to low 30s for the weekend, which is hot enough nonetheless.



Less said about Mercedes, the better.

Will Ferrari overcome Williams to reclaim 2nd spot?
How will the Toro Rosso (and Red Bull) fare, with perhaps a top 3 chassis crippled by a poor engine.
Will McLaren be able to replicate their Monaco performance and break into the top 10?

I love the track, I hope the drivers really attack it.

[Tapz63]

Will Mercedes be having another BBQ this year?

[CoolBreeze]

One of the worst races and most boring on the calendar. But, as a driver, an extremely nice flowing track. 

[hamilton10000]

Tbh this race really needs rain or really hot temperatures to be particularly interesting as virtually every dry race here in recent memory has been pretty dull, bar possibly 2013 with the cheese tyres. However I do usually enjoy the weekend as a whole as it is usually one of the few race weekends where I'm able to watch every session live. 

 

Also, can we stick the two Ferraris in front of the Merc's at the start to make it more interesting? With Lewis coming out on top in the end of course

Edited by hamilton10000, 20 July 2015 - 16:59.

[Lotus53B]

I pray that this European heatwave carries on toward Sunday. 38 degree heat, massive track temp, it will reak havoc with the cars. Just that unpredictable variable we might need. It may finally throw a spanner in Pirelli's plans as well, these 1 stoppers have been so tedious.

McLaren are saying that since the pit loss on this track is so low, 3 stops may be the way forward.

Remembering last year's race for McLaren, I'm inclined to take their suggestions with a pinch of salt.

[chadwick8505]

Mercedes will take one two (who ever leads into the first turn will win)

Ferrari will split their strategies resulting in one driver finishing on the podium and the other roughly 6th

Williams will forget they need to come up with a strategy ruining what could have been huge performances for their drivers

One Red Bull will break down the other will have a massively boring race and probably lose to a (both TR)

The best on track action will happen behind P8 (between a Lotus, Force India, and Sauber)

One Manor will drop out on lap 17 and the other will make it to the end

and McLaren will again "show progress" and someone will say "don't count them out yet"

[DutchQuicksilver]

Even though this track is hard for overtaking, for some reason the races here are always good. I'm a fan of this track.

 

Expect Williams to struggle here and Red Bull and Toro Rosso to be strong, especially Red Bull.

Edited by DutchQuicksilver, 20 July 2015 - 20:34.

[Exb]

Press Conference Line-up:

Thursday, July 23, 1500 hours local time (1400 hours BST)
Romain Grosjean (Lotus), Nico Hulkenberg (Force India), Felipe Massa (Williams), Roberto Merhi (Marussia), Felipe Nasr (Sauber), Sergio Perez (Force India)

Friday, July 24, 1600 hours local time (1500 hours BST)
Yasuhisa Arai (Honda), Maurizio Arrivabene (Ferrari), Paul Hembery (Pirelli), Christian Horner (Red Bull), Franz Tost (Toro Rosso), Toto Wolff (Mercedes)

http://www.formula1....---hungary.html

[Atreiu]

I agree with you guys who want an incredibly hot temperatures on race day. Things have been fairly predictable for a while. Either that or dry-wet-dry.

 

I actually like Hungaroring. It arrived at a time in which fast circuits were well represented in the calendar and suddenly there was a second Monaco, but with less walls around. Nearly every race there was great or at least not straightforward in the beginning and delivered masterclasses in both overtaking and defensive driving:

 

- Senna vs Piquet in 86;

- Senna vs Prost in 88;

- Mansell carving through in 89;

- Boutsen holding everyone while Senna charged in 90;

- Senna holding both faster Williams in 91;

- Mansell WDC 1992;

- Hill's first win in 1993.

 

It was only after refueling and the advance of aerodynamics/turbulence that it became an overtaking deadzone.

 

So all in all I like it and I can name at least half a dozen circuits I'd rather never see before anyone even mentions dropping Hungaroring.

Edited by Atreiu, 21 July 2015 - 12:52.

[jonpollak]

Hot weather is good for Ferrari right?

Go Seb
Jp

[Richard T]

Hot weather is good for Ferrari right?

Go Seb
Jp

It is indeed a popular belief around here. Wouldn't mind a Fezza to win at all!

I think in the end it will come down to the pirelli compound being good for them.

Edited by Richard T, 21 July 2015 - 03:30.

[Jimisgod]

I don't know how I feel racing so soon after the death of Jules. MotoGP had a parade after Simoncelli's death, F1 at least needs to do the same.

 

I know F1 traditionalists pride themselves on keeping the show going, but such a horrifying outcome from an accident ostensibly caused by the failures of the FIA needs to be treated with an appropriate level of respect and 'business as usual' just isn't good enough.

 

At the very least they should replace the typical self-congratulatory podium ceremony with a tribute to Jules.

[mgs315]

I pray that this European heatwave carries on toward Sunday. 38 degree heat, massive track temp, it will reak havoc with the cars. Just that unpredictable variable we might need. It may finally throw a spanner in Pirelli's plans as well, these 1 stoppers have been so tedious.

As someone travelling from the UK to Budapest this Thursday for the race and sitting in Gold 4 (not covered) I'm praying this heatwave buggers off already but that's me being selfish!

A little bit of rain would suit me just fine. I don't mind being rained on.

[Lotus53B]

Your wish may be granted (you lucky b£$£$&%)  Wunderground now have rain as possible after 12pm local

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

I don't know how I feel racing so soon after the death of Jules. MotoGP had a parade after Simoncelli's death, F1 at least needs to do the same.

 

I know F1 traditionalists pride themselves on keeping the show going, but such a horrifying outcome from an accident ostensibly caused by the failures of the FIA needs to be treated with an appropriate level of respect and 'business as usual' just isn't good enough.

 

At the very least they should replace the typical self-congratulatory podium ceremony with a tribute to Jules.

 

I personally think it's right to race again even though he died a week ago. Russia was a week after Japan last year and had he actually died on the day I think it would've still been right to race that weekend in Russia.

 

As for the podium, I expect the normal procedure minus the champagne spraying (they might just 'clink' their bottles together as they did at Suzuka 2014). They'll likely still do the podium interviews but may choose not to on this occasion (however given the drivers will all be interviewed anyway at some point, in that sense I see no reason not to. As for a tribute to Jules re the podium, I'm not quite sure what you have in mind so I can't really comment on that aspect without knowing more.

 

Obviously we disagree on what should happen (I have heard rumours of the drivers having a minutes silence at the front of the grid pre race which I think will happen) but I do understand why you think it's too soon to race again, even if I personally disagree.

 

The only thing I do hope (and this goes for the FIA retiring #17 too) is that any decisions are made in conjunction with Jules family in terms of anything like minutes silence, everyone starting 1 row further back (this happened at Monaco 94 if memory serves) etc.

[GoldenColt]

One of my favourite circuits on any F1 game. 

 

Would be nice to see Lewis become the first driver to score 5 wins on the Hungaroring. 

Edited by GoldenColt, 21 July 2015 - 12:33.

[Marklar]

One of my favourite circuits on any F1 game.

Would be nice to see Lewis become the first driver to score 5 wins on the Hungaroring.

In this case Kimi would finish 2nd.

Edited by Marklar, 21 July 2015 - 12:37.

[GoldenColt]

In this case Kimi would finish 2nd.

Can't find that particular meme atm but I know what you mean. 

 

EDIT: Found it

 

Edited by GoldenColt, 21 July 2015 - 12:46.

[sabjit]

One of the worst races and most boring on the calendar. But, as a driver, an extremely nice flowing track. 

 

So why does it consistently deliver one of the better races of the year then?

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

It's only really in recent years that we've had even half decent races. There was a time when it was in my view if not the most boring race of the year, then very nearly the most boring race of the year.

[SealTheDiffuser]

HAM, RAI is pretty palusible this weekend.

[Lotusseven]

I had such strange feeling or should I say "intuitive flash" when I saw Kevin Magnussen´s tweet yesterday.

It felt like he will replace Alonso...ah never mind.. it was probably fuzzy thinking because of the difficult day and I was very tired.  

[Seanspeed]

So why does it consistently deliver one of the better races of the year then?

It doesn't. It is consistently one of the worst races of the year, actually.

Definitely one of the best to drive, though.

Edited by Seanspeed, 22 July 2015 - 05:58.

[P123]

Not in the past few years though.  2011, 12,13 and 14 have all involved passes for the lead position and passing through the field, so it has been one of the better races.

[Lotusseven]

Did you know that the Hungarian GP is called "The unofficial Finnish Grand Prix" because loads of finns travel to this event.

 

Looks like it will be sunny and hot this weekend. Weather forecast. 

[sabjit]

It doesn't. It is consistently one of the worst races of the year, actually.

Definitely one of the best to drive, though.

 

Just because it is hard to overtake on why is it just assumed all the races are terrible. For the last 4 years in a row it's in my top 3 for best races of the year,

 

I think people need to remember the races that happen here before judging the quality of racing that happens here.

[nosecone]

If i was Pirelli i had chosen Medium- Super Soft

 

or Hard-Soft

 

I don't know why they've chosen two compounds next to eachother

[Marklar]

If i was Pirelli i had chosen Medium- Super Soft

or Hard-Soft

I don't know why they've chosen two compounds next to eachother

Reason is that the prime would be complete useless in Quali and even in race because its way slower than the option.

[Seanspeed]

Not in the past few years though.  2011, 12,13 and 14 have all involved passes for the lead position and passing through the field, so it has been one of the better races.

We've gotten lucky recently yes. But that doesn't erase the barren wasteland of racing that we'd normally have here before that.

Anyways, here's hoping to keep the run going.

Edited by Seanspeed, 22 July 2015 - 10:19.

[Jimisgod]

After seeing how emotional most of the drivers got at Jules' funeral, I'll excuse any poor performances this weekend.

 

There's no hope of a Manor win, so hopefully a Ferrari win dedicated to him.

[CoolBreeze]

So why does it consistently deliver one of the better races of the year then?

 

It doesn't. It's a personal opinion i suppose. The last time i genuinely enjoyed this race was 2006. 

[Marklar]

Last year Jules Bianchi achieved the Q2 in Hungary after beating Kimi Räikkönens time in Q1

[thegamer23]

Temperatures will reach 38 degrees celsius on saturday.
Tham the weather will worsen for sunday, with some chance of rain and 30 degrees.

[Jimisgod]

Last year Jules Bianchi achieved the Q2 in Hungary after beating Kimi Räikkönens time in Q1

 

Like others have said, he was probably the planned replacement for Kimi. Ferrari had confidence in him.