2012 Hungarian Grand Prix Discussion Thread

To be held this weekend (27-29 July). The Hungarian Grand Prix has been on the F1 calendar since 1986 and the tight and twisting confines of the track present teams with a challenge similar to that encountered in Monaco – how to maximise high downforce performance.

With 14 corners and just one real straight, teams will be aiming for high levels of aerodynamic grip but will also be looking for optimum levels of mechanical grip. Hence, Pirelli will bring its Supersoft (red banded option) and Soft (yellow banded prime) tyres to Hungary. However, finding good grip here isn’t easy. The circuit is used infrequently and as such grip levels are always low at the start of the weekend. The evolving nature of the track makes finding the perfect set-up difficult.

The weather also plays its part. Hungary can be punishingly hot in midsummer and the high temperatures mean tyre degradation and wear rates can be a factor. The Supersoft tyre will extract maximum grip but it could the durability of the Soft that decides the outcome.

The Hungaroring has been a feature of the F1 calendar since 1986, meaning that this will be the 27th edition of the race.

Michael Schumacher has won the race more times than any other driver, with four wins to his credit, one ahead of Ayrton Senna.

Despite the lack of overtaking opportunities at the Hungaroring, pole position does not guarantee a win, at least not lately. Since 2005 there’s been just one winner from pole (Lewis Hamilton in 2007). Conversely, in the five years before the ’05 race, the race was won from pole four times (the only exception was 2000 when Mika Hakkinen won from third on the grid).

Jenson Button’s win from 14th on the grid in the rain-hit 2006 race represents the biggest gap between starting position and the top of the podium. Button is followed in that regard by compatriot Nigel Mansell, who scored victory from 12th on the grid in 1989. The Ferrari driver powered his way through the field in the race after complaining of being hindered by traffic in qualifying.

The wet race of 2006 also saw Pedro de la Rosa record the only podium finish of his career to date. Racing for McLaren in place of Juan Pablo Montoya, the Spaniard drove a well judged race from fourth on the grid to finish second. His next best finish is fifth, a placing he’s managed four times so far (Italy ’01, Bahrain ’05, and Turkey and China in 2006).

The Hungaroring was the scene of Fernando Alonso’s first grand prix win, in 2003. At the time, it made the Spaniard F1’s youngest winner, at 22 years and 26 days, some 78 days younger than previous record holder Bruce McLaren. The Australian driver’s record had stood for 43 years. Alonso’s reign would last just two: Sebastian Vettel smashed it with victory in Italy in 2008, aged just 21 years and 73 days.

Former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari also set a record in 2009 when making his F1 debut here he became the youngest ever F1 race driver at just 19 years and 125 days.

The Hungaroring was the scene of Thierry Boutsen’s final F1 win, although it wasn’t exactly memorable for thrills and spills. Boutsen grabbed the only pole of his career and despite having a slower car managed to make it as wide as possible and kept Ayrton Senna at bay for 77 laps. Boutsen’s previous wins had come in Canada and Australia in 1989.

Caterham’s Heikki Kovalainen claimed his first (and to date only) F1 win at the Hungaroring in 2008. The Finn, driving for McLaren, started second behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton. However, both were eclipsed at the start by Ferrari’s Felipe Massa. Hamilton slotted into second but fell back after suffering a puncture. Massa looked on course for a comfortable win, but three laps from home his engine expired, handing Kovalainen a lead he didn’t let go.

http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/f1_media/Pages/f1-media-home.aspx

FP1 Fri 09.00
FP2 Fri 13.00
FP3 Sat 10.00
Qual Sat 13.00
Race Sun 13.00

Full throttle = 58%
Downforce = very high
Tyre wear = medium to high
Brake wear = high

Race stewards include the famous ex F1 driver Danny Sullivan (Who? check out wiki), Dr Gerd Enser and Radavan Novak (don't worry, he is not wanted for war crimes or anything).

Live coverage is on Sky F1. Below are some streaming sites.

http://www.wiziwig.tv/competition.php?part=sports&discipline=motorsports

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/sport/motosport.html

http://www.vipbox.tv/sports/formula-1.html

http://www.sportlemon.tv/c-10.html