857 replies to this topic

[Marklar]

After three very exciting races the big question is if F1 can make it four in the row? Generally speaking it's not looking very likely: It's one of the toughest tracks on overtaking and thus the Hungarian Grand Prix has not exactly the best reputation. However, since the introduction of DRS we occasionally get great races here...



Changes to the track for 2019

• A domed kerb section 50mm high has been installed 1.5m from the track edge behind the kerb on the exit of Turn 5.
• New debris fences have been installed on the right between Turns 3-4 and Turn 7.
• The guardrail has been realigned behind the gravel traps in Turn 4 and Turn 11.

(2017 quali lap for a dry reference)

Schedule (+ support races) in CEST

Friday
09:35 - F3 Practice
11:00 - FP1
13:00 - F2 Practice
15:00 - FP2
16:55 - F2 Qualifying
17:50 - Porsche Supercup Practice

Saturday
09:00 - F3 Qualifying
10:10 - F2 Race 1
12:00 - FP3
13:25 - Porsche Supercup Qualifying
15:00 - Qualifying
16:45 - F3 Race 1

Sunday
10:00 - F3 Race 2
11:25 - F2 Race 2
12:40 - Porsche Supercup Race
15:10 - Race

Pirelli has mentioned that the tyre selection is more or less like last years Medium-Soft-Ultrasoft selection (not sure if they are really sure nowadays). The winning strategy was a start on Ultrasofts (now Softs, C4) with a pitstop on Lap 25 to Softs (now Medium, C3). So normally this should be a pretty straight one stopper as usual, especially with the overtaking issue on this track. Tyre pressures are 20/17 psi (last year 19/18).



Last years qualifying was held under wet conditions, based on the forecast for this weekend the same cant be expected this time (although there is a little chance) and a repeat of Hockenheim seems to be ruled out on race day, but it looks like teams will lose practice time on friday, which probably will hurt Mercedes the most since the inconsistent conditions already compromised the evaluation of their package in Hockenheim. On the other hand - surprisingly - it doesnt look very hot this time.


Race could set the tone for the remaining championship: Can Red Bull prove to be in contention even in normal conditions and sustain with Verstappen even a tiny title challenge? Will Bottas recover from his missed open goal in Hockenheim? Or will Hamilton put another nail on the coffin?

In terms of the race win Ferrari is not expected to challenge for it, although there is apparently a little upgrade in the pipeline but it seems doubtful that it is enough to entirely cure their issues in slow corners. Further down in the field the high downforce demands could suit Haas the most, but with their tyre struggles this season this appears to be a coin toss...

Here is hoping that we can end on another high before entering the summer break! 

Edited by Marklar, 30 July 2019 - 15:18.

[f1paul]

(What most people on here are thinking)...

 

Rain on Sunday? 

[f1paul]

Also anyone who's been to the Hungarian GP, help out these guys... https://forums.autos...garian-gp-2018/

[CPR]

Current forecast suggests Saturday/Sunday will be dry and sunny (25-26C). Friday might see some rain later in the day so it could affect FP2.

 

Might be another dull-as-dishwater race unless we get a repeat of 2014 I think it was.

[Astandahl]

Hopefully RB will be able to match Mercedes

[SophieB]

As a fan of Lewis, and also F1 chaos, I've always enjoyed the combination of Lewis Hamilton and the Hungaroring.(and when he was still around, for Fernando Alonso too, for that matter). For both of them, it has been the best of times and the worst of times. It’s where he tossed a lit match into the petrol soaked wooden timbers of the Mclaren house that Ron built. It's where he won his first race for Mercedes and it's where his car caught fire (not during the same event). He’s refused to let Rosberg past him and absorbed the resulting team angst. He’s come close to crashing out on the formation lap and then nearly won anyway from the back of the grid in the same race. And along the way, shared many a podium with Kimi. I wonder what kind of race awaits Our Hero this weekend?

[Fastcake]

There’s been the odd race in the dry, but the Hungaroring really needs rain to give a great race. The chaotic events of 2006 will never be forgotten in this Button fans heart!

[TruthSeeker]

• Mercedes's slow-corner advantage will really come into play on Hungaroring.
• The forecast for the weekend is partly cloudy for Saturday and mostly sunny for Sunday.
• It is difficult to overtake on this track.

So it will probably be quite a boring GP. My guess is 1. HAM, 2. BOT (+tens of seconds) and 3. VER.

[messy]

The Hungaroring is one of those races, like the Red Bull Ring and Magny Cours, that when I first started watching F1 was held up as the sh*test of the sh*t but in 2019 look like Suzuka in comparison to the Tilkedromes.

I like it. I’ve got a decent number of really exciting races from the Hungarian GP in my head. It’s been Hamilton territory more often than not sure, but you never know. Depending on the temperatures etc it might be a good chance for Ferrari.

[muramasa]

I like Hungaroring too, it has natural flow, it's really pleasant to watch F1 running around the track. I dont see the appeal of tracks like Baku paul ricard etc, it's just that cars keep going on and on and on on the long straight, I dont find the race at those newer tracks particularly fun either.

[statman]

this is probably the worst press conference line-up I've seen in a long time...

 

 

 

[milestone 11]

Accuweather showing +50% chance of rain throughout Friday, 2% Saturday pm and 12% Sunday pm.

[HeadFirst]

We've had 3 great races in a row. Although Hungary seems an unlikely place to get a fourth, I am ever hopeful. Love to see Charles get his first, and/or perhaps an unexpected face (like Kvyat last week) on the podium.

[kernel]

The Hungaroring is one of those races, like the Red Bull Ring and Magny Cours, that when I first started watching F1 was held up as the sh*test of the sh*t but in 2019 look like Suzuka in comparison to the Tilkedromes.

I like it. I’ve got a decent number of really exciting races from the Hungarian GP in my head. It’s been Hamilton territory more often than not sure, but you never know. Depending on the temperatures etc it might be a good chance for Ferrari.

 

Suzuka is a dogsh*t track with those new regs, and to be fair hasn't really been that good for racing in a long while.

Hungaroring has had a stellar decade overall (2011 through 2016 were cracking races, both in dry and mixed conditions, and 2018 was overall quite decent when you consider the mixed weather qualifying).

Edited by kernel, 30 July 2019 - 18:51.

[SonGoku]

I can remember the best races in some seasons the last few years here. The one with RIC as a winner was a classic.

[f1paul]

Yeah. 2014 that one SonGoku.

 

2015 was great too, Seb winning on the weekend after Jules Bianchi sadly died from his injuries. 

[SophieB]

I can remember the best races in some seasons the last few years here. The one with RIC as a winner was a classic.

 
2014! That was the one where Hamilton's car caught fire. It was testament to the amount of previous technical failures (like exploding brake discs) that his car catching fire provokes merely world weary irritation.

 

One of my all time favourite radio messages in hindsight.

[Henri Greuter]

As a fan of Lewis, and also F1 chaos, I've always enjoyed the combination of Lewis Hamilton and the Hungaroring.(and when he was still around, for Fernando Alonso too, for that matter). For both of them, it has been the best of times and the worst of times. It’s where he tossed a lit match into the petrol soaked wooden timbers of the Mclaren house that Ron built. It's where he won his first race for Mercedes and it's where his car caught fire (not during the same event). He’s refused to let Rosberg past him and absorbed the resulting team angst. He’s come close to crashing out on the formation lap and then nearly won anyway from the back of the grid in the same race. And along the way, shared many a podium with Kimi. I wonder what kind of race awaits Our Hero this weekend?

 

 

Our Hero???

 

Please where is the entry/exit to leave the room? I'm in the wrong building I believe.....

Edited by Henri Greuter, 30 July 2019 - 20:12.

[f1paul]

Our Hero???

 

Please where is the entry/exit to leave the room? I'm in the wrong building I believe.....

The rest of the post is good though. 

 

But not the bit you pointed out Henri!

[P123]

Our Hero???
 
Please where is the entry/exit to leave the room? I'm in the wrong building I believe.....

Sense of humour failure alert!

Ps- Exit is on the 10th floor.

[P123]

The rest of the post is good though. 
 
But not the bit you pointed out Henri!

I've already started penning a letter to my MP. Something has to be done. Clearly Sophie must have been thinking of JPM?

[Heyli]

Suzuka is a dogsh*t track with those new regs, and to be fair hasn't really been that good for racing in a long while.

Hungaroring has had a stellar decade overall (2011 through 2016 were cracking races, both in dry and mixed conditions, and 2018 was overall quite decent when you consider the mixed weather qualifying).

I love to "drive" on suzuka (f1 game) and I can definitely see why the drivers enjoy it too. Hungaroring not so much...

 

But yeah, what drivers love and what viewers want to see are not necessarily the same thing of course...

[Marklar]

I've already started penning a letter to my MP. Something has to be done. Clearly Sophie must have been thinking of JPM?

 

So essentially Stroll? 

[P123]

Suzuka is a dogsh*t track with those new regs, and to be fair hasn't really been that good for racing in a long while.

Hungaroring has had a stellar decade overall (2011 through 2016 were cracking races, both in dry and mixed conditions, and 2018 was overall quite decent when you consider the mixed weather qualifying).

Spa is the absolute worst. It should be dropped off the calendar in shame at the level of Tilkification child-proofing.

[P123]

So essentially Stroll? 

I see what you did there, but wash those thoughts away... JPM is just after a bit of cash for his latest RC 'plane.

[OvDrone]

I can remember the best races in some seasons the last few years here. The one with RIC as a winner was a classic.

 

My favorite Grand Prix of this decade post-2010. Absolute magickal race and surprisingly ignored and underrated.

[Atreiu]

I expect nothing. Just let it happen.

[Counterbalance]

Our Hero???

Please where is the entry/exit to leave the room? I'm in the wrong building I believe.....

Old age and confusion does that to you, Henri. First door on your left, btw.

[TomNokoe]

Remember when Rosberg took pole under double yellows? Bloody hell.

[Maxioos]

Max needs the win, so, i go for a Max win.

 

If that happens, Max is around 50/56 behind Hamilton. Then everything is possible in 2nd half season.

 

Hamilton needs the win to give strong signal Bottas/Max that any WDC aspiration will be nothing more then a dream for them.

 

Bottas needs the win to go positive and with better cards 2020 contract talks in.

 

Vettel needs the win to secure first driver status.

 

Leclerc needs the win to conquer the first driver status.

 

Gasly really only needs a podium, for him a win isn't a must atm. A 1/2 RBR would/should make him give a far more relaxed summer break then with current performance/status..

 

It has all ingredients for a great race with good battles where is much at stake for lots of drivers/teams.

[loki]

Our Hero???

 

Yeah man.  Grosjean.  Our hero...

[Maxioos]

Yeah man.  Grosjean.  Our hero...

 

I'm really getting old/blind. I truly can't find the "anti-" before hero.

 

Pearle, here we come...

[JHSingo]

Current forecast suggests Saturday/Sunday will be dry and sunny (25-26C). Friday might see some rain later in the day so it could affect FP2.

 

Might be another dull-as-dishwater race unless we get a repeat of 2014 I think it was.

 

2014 and 2015 were both crackers.

[RekF1]

It used to be regarded as a boring race, but it's probably been the most consistently exciting race since 2012.

[P123]

2009, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were all very strong races, with all but 2015 having passes for the lead. 2017 had Kimi acting as rear-gunner to his teammate whilst the Mercs swapped, and swapped back, and 2018 had Bottas's late race implosion. A boring Hungary race is a rare event this past decade or so, and even before that it served up some memorable races, such has 1997 and 1998.

[Counterbalance]

1997 was heartbreaking!

Here's hoping for normal service to be resumed. If it's another Verstappen win, I'm gonna start flogging orange t-shirts on Ebay.

[TomNokoe]

2009, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were all very strong races, with all but 2015 having passes for the lead.

Hamilton overcut early-stopping and three-wheeling Alonso in 2009

[Boxerevo]

Hamilton overcut early-stopping and three-wheeling Alonso in 2009

Hungary 2009, i always say it again and again, was a precious victory.

 

Our guy coming back to win after many races with the silver donkey.

[BuddyHolly]

I've never been a fan of this tracks place in the calendar.  it always irked me somewhat that one of the most boring races of the season was right before the summer break.  I'd prefer a classic track before the break as it would be better   ..but then I remember we have Spa and Monza after it and that makes it all worth it and gives you something to look forward to.

 

Rain would be very nice please but I think the odds on us getting two ..damp.. races in a row is tiny.

 

That said, I'd be more than happy if something happened and we had a Leclerc or Max win.   ..or heck even Seb!

Edited by BuddyHolly, 30 July 2019 - 22:16.

[JHSingo]

2009, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were all very strong races, with all but 2015 having passes for the lead. 2017 had Kimi acting as rear-gunner to his teammate whilst the Mercs swapped, and swapped back, and 2018 had Bottas's late race implosion. A boring Hungary race is a rare event this past decade or so, and even before that it served up some memorable races, such has 1997 and 1998.

 

And 2006.

 

Still vividly remember James Allen's line "They said he might never win a Grand Prix, but he's done it. JENSON BUTTON WINS THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX! GET IN THERE!"

 

 

This track gets a bad rep when you think back to all the good races it has had over the years. But I suppose the majority of tracks have more good races than bad ones.

[Counterbalance]

I think at one point in time Martin Brundle too his annual holidays to co-incide with this race as it was so boring.

Like other people have said though, in recent years it's been a thrilling race.

This has the hallmarks of a Hamilton / Verstappen duel as I don't think Ferrari have cracked their low speed corner issue. Looking forward to this weekend with much anticipation.

[PlayboyRacer]

1997 was heartbreaking!

Totally agree in isolation it was heartbreaking for Damon Hill and Arrows, it was quite brilliant all things considered and would have been a fairytale win.

In a wider context though, something people forget, perhaps it was things going full circle if you cast the mind back to Melbourne 1996 with Villeneuve and Hill.

Still heartbreaking nonetheless!

[messy]

It used to be regarded as a boring race, but it's probably been the most consistently exciting race since 2012.

Certainly moreso than Spa. Most seasons I look forward to Spa for weeks and it’s dull as dishwater.

Hungaroring might not be as challenging a track, but there’s a big argument that the races are better.

[Grundle]

Get in there Lewis 😋

[Counterbalance]

Totally agree in isolation it was heartbreaking for Damon Hill and Arrows, it was quite brilliant all things considered and would have been a fairytale win.

In a wider context though, something people forget, perhaps it was things going full circle if you cast the mind back to Melbourne 1996 with Villeneuve and Hill.

Still heartbreaking nonetheless!

Yes, but two laps from the end with a 30+ second leak, with a hydraulic leak denying Hill victory. It must be said though, that the Bridgestones used by Arrows were perfecty suited to the track. Hill's pass down the inside on lap 16(?) was epic. He just pulled away into the distance from there.

[PlayboyRacer]

Yes, but two laps from the end with a 30+ second leak, with a hydraulic leak denying Hill victory. It must be said though, that the Bridgestones used by Arrows were perfecty suited to the track. Hill's pass down the inside on lap 16(?) was epic. He just pulled away into the distance from there.

It was a brilliant performance and cemented, for myself at least, that Damon Hill was ridiculously underrated and still is.

[messy]

It was a brilliant performance and cemented, for myself at least, that Damon Hill was ridiculously underrated and still is.

Yeah. Even at the time people widely dismissed it as being all about the tyres. So why weren’t the other Bridgestone runners up there with him? Hill was old and unfashionable, he never got the credit he deserved for being a very talented racing driver.

[PayasYouRace]

Speaking of good races here, 1989 was a pretty good one too, with Mansell storming through the field in the Ferrari.

[JRodrigues]

I'm betting on a podium for Kimi. 

[JeePee]

What I love about this race is that DRS is perfect here.

 

In Monaco it is underpowered, in almost all other tracks it is overpowered. Hungary just hits the sweetspot with drivers who can mount an attack, try a divebomb or just get along side, but no way you'll see real DRS-drive by's. That way we can see laps-long fights like back in the old days, but also overly enthousiastic outbraking manouvres. And 2 drivers side by side through the downhill turn 2 ALWAYS happens here, and is always exciting to watch.