Are we seeing the resurgence of Mercedes in F1 after a win from George Russell at the Austrian Grand Prix and a win from Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix? F1 arrives at the Hungaroring in Hungary for a historically boring race, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring this weekend with such a competitive grid.
About Hungary
Hungary, located in Central Europe, has a rich and complex history shaped by various civilizations and empires. The Magyar tribes, who originated from the Ural Mountains, settled in the Carpathian Basin around the late 9th century, establishing the foundations of the Hungarian state. Over the centuries, Hungary evolved into a powerful kingdom under King Stephen I, who was crowned in 1000 AD and introduced Christianity. The kingdom experienced periods of expansion and contraction, including the Golden Age under King Matthias Corvinus in the 15th century. Throughout its history, Hungary faced invasions and occupations by Mongols, Ottomans, and Habsburgs, leading to significant cultural and political influences. It later became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until World War I, after which it briefly experienced communism before transitioning to a democratic republic in 1989. Today, Hungary is a member of the European Union, blending its rich cultural heritage with modern European influences.
Circuit History
The Hungaroring is a historic motorsport circuit located near Mogyoród, Hungary, about 20 kilometers northeast of Budapest. Built in 1985 and designed by architect István Puskás, the circuit quickly gained fame for hosting the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix. Its challenging layout, characterized by tight corners and limited overtaking opportunities, has made it a favorite among drivers and fans alike. Over the years, the Hungaroring has witnessed memorable races and moments, contributing to Hungary’s status as a notable venue in the global motorsport calendar.
Track Characteristics
The current track layout of the Hungaroring is 4.381 km and the total race distance will be 306.63 km over 70 laps. The circuit is made up of 14 turns, 8 of which are right-handed turns and the other 6 are left-handed turns. The track has two DRS zones located on the start finish straight and between turns 1 & 2.
F1 Qualifying Results
A McLaren front row lock out with Lando Norris on pole. Max Verstappen in 3rd with Carlos Sainz in 4th. Lewis Hamilton qualifies in 5th while George Russell fails to make it out of Q1 for being underfueled. Sergio Perez has a shocking qualifying crashing in Q1. Both Racing Bulls make it into Q3 this weekend.
Tyre Compounds
The official tyre provider of Formula 1, Pirelli, has determined that the softest tyres are in order for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The C5 compound will be the red-walled soft tyre for this race weekend. The C4 compound will be the yellow-walled medium compound tyres. The C3 compound is the hardest of three compounds and will be the white-walled hard compound this race weekend.
Current Standings in F1
After the British Grand Prix, the gap between McLaren and Ferrari has become razor thin and second in the F1 Constructors Championship could change hands. Max Verstappen looks like he has all but won the drivers championship. Sergio Perez has until the summer break to score some points, but his current form has both Mercedes drivers right behind him and likely will overtake him based on recent form. Nico Hulkenberg has had a run of outlandish form with him right behind Lance Stroll and ahead of Yuki Tsunoda.