[sgiitk]

The Hungarian GP is following quickly on the footsteps of the German GP.

The schedule as per Tata sky is
P1 Tomorrow Select 1 HD 14.25 to 16:00 Live
P2 Saturday Select 2 HD 7:00 am to 8;30am (Canned)
P3 Saturday Select 2 HD 3:25 to 4:30pm
Qualifying Saturday Select 2 HD 6:25 to 07.30pm
Race Sunday Select 2 6:35 to 8:45pm

My comments. P2 is only canned to the moment. P1 is on Select 1, rest on Select 2.

Hungaroring is a tight (and hence technical) circuit

[shibujp]

The Circuit
Described as the "Monaco without barriers" this circuit is one of the most difficult tracks to overtake on. The track is usually dusty due to lack of use with Formula 1 being the only event on this track.

The circuit has 14 corners, 8 to the right and 6 to the left with just one straight in front of the pit lane.

The constant change in direction stresses both driver and car. However given the relatively low speeds the power unit is not too stressed. With high ambient temperatures cooling the power unit is critical.

Jarno Trulli on overtaking -- However, the driver can sometimes make a difference. "You can still pressure a slower car into making a mistake," explains Jarno Trulli. "When that happens, it is possible to overtake. You sometimes only need to jink about behind the car in front under braking. With a bit of luck, your rival will miss his braking point and open the door."

Link



Car Setup

What one wants from a car in Budapest is that it be well balanced in order to cope with the endless changes of direction, as well having good traction.

The cars are set up with high levels of aerodynamic downforce and the engineers always keep an eye on the brake and engine temperatures, given that hot weather is always a feature here at this time of year. Obviously, the high temperatures and track characteristics have an effect on tyre behaviour at the Hungaroring, as they are permanently under load.

Power is not that important in Hungary but operating temperatures of the power unit have to be kept under control, given the low speed and the heat. Clearly, on a stop-go circuit like this one, the power unit with the most efficient hybrid element will have a performance advantage.

Link

2018 Race
Hamilton won the race in 2018 followed by a Ferrari 2-3 lead by Vettel. Mercedes increased their lead in the constructors and drivers championship in this race after taking the lead in the 2018 German GP.

Weather
The Hungaroring is generally a very hot race however the forecast this weekend seems to indicate showers on Friday and Saturday with a 10% chance of rain on raceday which is otherwise slated to be sunny and dry.


What's for grip?

White : Hard C2
Yellow : Medium C3
Red : Soft C4

Drive on,
Shibu

[RM Motorsports]

Tyre selections for Hungarain GP.

Hungaroring is nicknamed "Monaco without the buildings" for a reason. The twisty nature of the circuit makes overtaking very difficult in dry conditions. Hope this year its not a yawn-fest, but an exciting race like last three GP's.

[sgiitk]

P1 was interesting due to a rain period. Obviously all rubber laid in the first half got washed off. Then when to switch back to racing tyres from Greenwalls to normal tyres was an issue. So P2 which is being canned may become interesting. As usual Ferrari were not at full pace.

[sgiitk]

@shubujp; has described the circuit well. Very technical. Expect Mercedes to have an edge since torque will be king.

P2 (canned) gave us nothing. Mostly rained off with 'light' wet tyres. So no clues whatsoever. now let us see if P3 is dry?

[sgiitk]

Now P3 reduced to 50 minutes due to some track repairs. Very interesting. We lose P1 and P2 and now a truncated P3.

What is happening?

[DaptChatterjee]

Usual day at office for Ferrari. Leclarc has banged into a barrier in Q1 damaging his rear wing. What will Vettel do?

[fz_rider]

Finally, Max gets his pole, becomes 100th man on pole.
Great drive by Bottas, who was just .018 behind.
Ferrari's are blistering in sector 1, but losing out in 2 and 3. They should have qualified with softs in Q2, to make race more interesting.

[tharian]

Looks like finally it is taking a team that is RBR to take on the might of Mercedes. Something which Ferrari tried and failed all these years.
A good come back for Honda too.

Will be an interesting race with Max on pole and the Merc drivers right behind him.

[shibujp]

Ferrari are 4 tenths off the pace of the first three qualifiers. Seems single lap pace is also eluding them. The Verstappen Leclerc rivalry is shaping up well and promising to add some spice to the racing. Elbows out!!

[avdhesh15]

VER power! Unbelievable pole position. This lad is gonna give MSC and HAM a run for the records for sure!

I wonder where ALO has got his sun chair today?

[mayankk]

Originally Posted by avdhesh15

I wonder where ALO has got his sun chair today?

I despised the man, Alonso, ever since he pummelled everyone in his Renault.
However, this is a bit unfair. Mclaren and Honda never worked well together because of the engines teething time and the two companies not working well together. Alonso was the unfortunate customer at the table who got served rotten eggs cos the chefs were arguing.
Second, Adrian newey.

Heck, had verstappan or even Hamilton been in that mclaren Honda, the language and actions would have been as colourful.

[sgiitk]

So we have a Honda engined car of Pole. Says, a lot for the future. Now battle Royal between Honda, Mercedes & Ferrari.

Let me track the history a bit. Initially they ruled a 1:2 engine size between normally aspirated and Turbo cars, 3.0l vs 1.5l. The first one to go Turbo was Renault with a 4 cylinder mill. The ratio of 2 was deemed too high. The engine size was increased to 3.5l, next rpm limits came in. Now we compulsory Turbo with limits to the boost and rpm.

[mayankk]

That was absolutely inspired in the merc strategy, and a beautiful drive by the champ. Sublime!
Pity for bottas though. But amazingly held on to the second spot in the championship, mostly due to the way he clambered back into the points.

[tazmaan]

Boring race made lively by the top 2 drivers. The strategy by Mercedes and the drive by Hamilton was perfect. These two were driving a different race.

Feel sorry for Bottas but I feel Le Clark got away by what he did to Bottas.