© Getty ImagesCircuit Scout: HungaroringA driver’s view of the Hungarian track often compared to a karting circuit.
It’sthelastracebeforesummerbreak,sowethoughtwe’dsitdownonceagainwithRedBullRacingHonda’sTestandReserveDriverAlexAlbontogettheinsidelineonwhattheHungaroringisliketoracearound.
The Hungaroring first appeared on the Formula One Calendar in 1986, just nine months after it was first completed. Today the circuit is 4.381km long, with 14 corners and an elevation of 34.7 metres. The race will be 70 laps with a total distance of 303.63km.
So, now you know the basics, let’s find out what our man, Alex, thinks of the track…
Circuit Scout: Hungaroring© @sou_draws
The Hungaroring is set on the Pest side of Budapest and at the end of July it’s extremely hot. “Hungary is a great place, good food and reasonable. At the Hungaroring, by turn five there is a water park. I’ve done my research and it’s about €15 per adult, which in Hungary is on the expensive side,” explained Alex before focusing on the circuit itself.
“It’s a good track, not one I always go incredibly well on, but still a good circuit that’s enjoyable. It’s very technical and it’s critically important to be precise whilst being on the limit throughout the whole lap. It’s also tricky and all about positioning. Each corner leads on to the next one, so you have to be in the correct place at the right corners. It’s more of a qualifying circuit than a race circuit. It tends to be the best car wins around here.”
It doesn’t take long at the Hungaroring before the overtakes start and the action begins. “The Red Bulls seem to go really well round here and can brake later than most other drivers into the first turn. Daniel Ricciardo used to always do some crazy dive bombs at turn one – I’ve managed to do a few as well. This is where the overtakes will happen – big lunges will be seen here.”
Alex In Hungary In 2020© Getty Images
Alex mentioned that you need be precise here and turns four and five are prime examples of that. “Turn four is a blind corner and it requires some balls to go as hard as you can through it. It’s a nice corner, but difficult. You really want to go quickly through it, but there’s more time in turn five so you have to compromise. Everyone wants to go quickly, but you’ve got to make sure you’re not upsetting turn five, so you have to position the car correctly in turn four.”
TurnEight,Nine,Ten,Eleven
To end sector two at the Hungaroring you are faced with turns eight to 11, and these turns are a drivers’ favourite. “These corners are all about having the correct positioning. They’re high speed and it’s a nice part of the circuit – I really enjoy driving this part of the circuit,” explained Alex.
Corners 12 to 14 are in the final sector of the circuit, but Alex wanted to warn us about the last part of the track. “The tyres tend to be pretty hot around here so you’re struggling for rear grip. You have to be particularly careful on the lap to grid. Make sure you’re not focusing on your steering wheel or you may have an issue of breaking too late, locking up and hitting the wall. If that happens make sure you have good mechanics on hand to fix it before the start of the race,” joked Alex.
Mechanics Work On Max's Car© F1
Alex likes this corner as well due to the fact that it offers many different lines. “It’s a long corner and there are lots of different lines you can take, which are fun. You want to stay close to the car in front, which gives you the chance to overtake at turn one – which is really the only place to overtake. The different lines also allow you the ability to get some clean air through the corner. If you’re feeling extra stylish you can do a 360 out of the exit, right up to the wall just like Sebastian Vettel did.”
Overtaking/RacingScore:5/10
