Pirelli Hungarian Grand Prix Preview

(Pirelli Motorsport Media)

It is a very quick turnaround for the Formula One circus as the sport heads to the outskirts of Budapest for this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix. In Germany at the weekend, Pirelli brought the yellow marked Soft P-Zero compound tyre along with the red marked Super Soft compound tyre. 

For the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend the Italian company will once again bring yellow marked Soft tyre along with the white walled Medium compound tyre. which was also used at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. Last season saw Lewis Hamilton take his first victory for the Mercedes AMG F1 Team and the 2008 world champion will be hoping for a similar result this season.

Lewis Hamilton won last season's race on a three stop strategy while Kimi Raikkonen who finished the race in second place for the Lotus F1 Team on a two stop strategy. Speaking ahead of the race in Hungary, Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery said:

'Hungary is well-known for being a tricky layout, where it’s difficult to overtake and to find a perfect set-up for the whole lap. This means that strategy is especially important, as it offers a rare opportunity to gain track position. The weather is normally a talking point in Hungary, but having seen how our tyres performed in the very hot track temperatures of Hockenheim, we’re confident that this shouldn’t be a problem. The tyres we are bringing to Hungary are a step harder, to deal with the increased demands, so we would expect the usual two pit stops – although we will only have a better idea of this once we get to free practice on Friday.'

Pirelli Consultant Jean Alesi commented:

'In the last few years, the Hungaroring has changed in a positive way. It’s a track where you run maximum downforce, because of all the slow corners and low-gear acceleration, but there are also some places now where you can push to the maximum. Getting good traction remains the principal technical challenge, and most of all you need to look after the rear tyres, otherwise you end up with no grip and reduced braking.

There are a few key points to know on the circuit. The second corner after the pits, for example, is a downhill left-hander that seems quick but isn’t: you need to stay on the inside to have the best line for the right-hander that follows it. And that’s the key to the Hungaroring really; every corner affects the next one. It’s going to be even more difficult this year I think: all the corners mean that the drivers have to be careful how they modulate the throttle. With the extra torque this year that is no easy task, so it will be quite hard to stick to the ideal racing line every time…'

© Ben Johnston 2014