0 Hungarian F1 Grand Prix 2013: Jenson, Checo and Martin preview the tenth race of the season at Budapest

The Hungaroring is the slowest permanent circuit on the 2013 Formula 1 calendar, and it’s also one of the most demanding. The tortuous 4.381km layout is an uncompromising succession of corners that tests cars and drivers to the limit, and the reliance on slow-corner traction makes it a solid test of a car’s mechanical grip.

The circuit isn’t used regularly by other motorsport categories, which results in the asphalt being dusty and slippery during the early practice sessions. When the racing line has cleaned up, however, there still remains a lot of dirt off-line, which, when combined with the twisty layout, makes passing difficult. Two DRS zones this year, one on the start-finish straight and a second on the approach to Turn Two, will help overtaking, but pole position is coveted almost as much as at Monaco. Surprisingly, however, the race has been won from pole position only twice in the last eight years, both times by Lewis Hamilton for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.

Pirelli are taking their new-specification tyres to Hungary, in which 2013 rubber compounds will be matched to a 2012 construction. The tyres were successfully evaluated at Silverstone’s Young Driver Test earlier this week, and the team will now work hard to get the maximum from the Medium and Soft compounds that are being supplied at the Hungaroring.

McLaren has an enviable record in Hungary, having won at the Hungaroring six times in the last eight years. The team has taken 11 victories at the circuit in total – more than any other constructor.

- Race distance: 70 laps (306.630km/190.531 miles)
- Start time: 14:00 (local)/12:00 (GMT)
- Circuit length: 4.381km/2.722 miles
- 2012 winner: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4-27) 69 laps in 1hr41m05.503s (179.391km/h)
- 2012 pole: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4-27) 1m20.953s (194.824km/h)
- Lap record: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari F2004) 1m19.071s (199.461km/h)

McLaren at the Hungarian Grand Prix

- Wins: 11 (1988, 1991, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)

- Poles: 8 (1988, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012)

- Fastest laps: 5 (1988, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005)

Car 5: Jenson Button

- Age: 33 (January 19 1980)

- GPs: 237

- Wins: 15

- Poles: 8

- FLs: 8

“Great circuit, great place. I have so many positive memories of racing at the Hungaroring – obviously, I won my first grand prix there back in 2006, which was incredibly emotional – and also feels such a long time ago now! – and I also won my 200th race there back in 2011.

“That was one of those days when everything went right, the car was a dream to drive and I just brought it home. Every victory in Formula 1 is special, but that’s right up there as one of my favourite days in the car.

“Of course, a win in 2013 is going to be difficult, but I actually think the team is working very well right now: in Germany, our tyre-usage, strategy and management of the race was as good as it’s ever been. It would be good to have a car with a little more pace to enable those calls to have a bit more impact at the front of the pack, but, for the moment, we can be satisfied by doing the best possible job in qualifying and on Sunday afternoon.”

Car 6: Sergio Perez

- Age: 23 (January 26 1990)

- GPs: 46

- Wins: 0

- Poles: 0

- FLs: 2

“I haven't had the best results in my two previous outings at the Hungaroring, which is a shame because I enjoy the circuit, have usually qualified well there, and think the race is a great event for Formula 1.

“So, for this year, I’m going to Hungary with realistic ambitions: after a positive weekend at the Nurburgring, we’re focused on further improving and understanding MP4-28. I think the race in Germany showed that, when things come together, we’re able to be a force in the race, even if we can’t quite set the pace at the front. That is extremely motivating during a difficult year.

“Hungary is the last race of the first ‘half’ of 2013; it’s the final event before the official summer break, so there’s usually a good feeling in the paddock. For everybody on the race team, or working back at the MTC, it would be great to send everybody off on their summer holidays with another strong points finish.”

Martin Whitmarsh - Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

“The Hungarian Grand Prix has become a firm staple on the Formula 1 calendar – the race is a popular hotspot for many fans across Europe, and is invariably supported by a large contingent of vocal and passionate supporters.

“The Hungaroring itself is a uniquely challenging low-speed track that requires a good balance of mechanical grip and aerodynamic traction to maximise performance through the many corners. The race often rewards tenacious, charging drivers who enjoy the relentless pace of this twisting course.

“Of the 27 Hungarian Grands Prix that have been held since 1986, McLaren has won 11; while we don’t expect to add to that tally this year, we’ve been buoyed by our positive result in Germany earlier this month, and the whole team is looking forward to maximising our package at a circuit we all enjoy.”

A McLaren 50 classic moment
Hungarian Grand Prix, August 7 1988

During a season where turbo and atmospheric cars are free to race wheel-to-wheel, the twisty layout of the Hungaroring is expected to give the non-turbo cars a genuine chance of victory.

After qualifying, that appears to be the case; Ayrton Senna takes his eighth pole position of the year by only 0.1s, but there are five ‘atmo’ cars between him and his turbo-powered McLaren-Honda team-mate Alain Prost on the grid.

Away from the line, Ayrton uses the extra grunt of his Honda V6 turbo to beat Nigel Mansell into Turn One, but the Brazilian can’t relax for a moment. Mansell and Thierry Boutsen mount solid challenges during the early laps and, with Alain slipping down to ninth, it looks like Ayrton will have to fend for himself at the front.

Prost, however, soon finds his rhythm and he works his way through the field. By half distance he’s up to third, behind Ayrton and Boutsen, and he quickly picks off the Belgian to put the Brazilian in his sights. At this stage, Alain is lapping faster than Ayrton, and he pulls an audacious move on his team-mate to take the lead, but runs wide and has to slot back into second place.

Alain’s challenge is blunted in the latter stages by a wheel-bearing problem, but he crosses the line just 0.5s behind Ayrton, who gives McLaren its first victory in Hungary. It’s the team’s seventh one-two finish of ’88.

~ Official photo and details courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~

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