Posted on 21st July 2015
As Formula One heads to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend which is one of the most popular tracks that the teams and the drivers like to race at; the air will be sombre following the news of the tragic death of Jules Bianchi on Friday night.
Bianchi had been in a coma since the accident, in which he suffered a diffuse axonal injury after colliding with a recovery vehicle while driving for Marussia.
He was initially treated at the Mie Prefecture medical centre in Japan before being transferred to a facility in Nice a month after the crash. Although his rehabilitation therapy began late last year, in May Bianchi's father Philippe admitted that their hopes as a family were fading for his complete recovery and his death was announced in the early hours of Saturday morning.
I echo the sentiments of everyone else as does Driving for Pleasure where our deepest condolences, prayers and thoughts are with the Bianchi family during this difficult time and rest assured that he will never forgotten by the F1 world and community, his spirit and legacy will live on and he is now our big shining star in the sky.
With regards to the Hungarian Grand Prix, this weekend Pirelli have brought the P Zero White medium tyres and P Zero Yellow soft tyres to an event which is in the history books as the first race ever to be held behind the former Iron Curtain.
The distinctive circuit which is just outside Budapest that was described by one former world champion as like “a supersized go-kart track.†This gives a clear impression of the track characteristics: it is tight and twisty with one corner leading straight into the next one. The circuit's compact nature makes it very popular with spectators who are able to see most of the circuit from any one vantage point.
One of the biggest challenges is the weather: it can be extremely hot in Budapest in July, and obviously this has a significant effect on thermal degradation with the tyres. This is why Pirelli have selected the tyre nominations that they have for this weekend in order to find the right balance between performance and durability; which is the same nomination as last year.
As well as being tough on tyres, the Hungaroring is very physically demanding on the drivers. They have often compared it to Singapore (renowned as the most physically demanding track of the year) due to the high number of corners, significant ambient temperatures, and comparatively little airflow though the car.
The Hungaroring is a circuit that is quite well balanced in terms of traction, braking and lateral energy demands. All the forces acting on the car are roughly equal in their extent, meaning that a neutral set-up is needed. The teams tend to run maximum downforce to generate the most aerodynamic grip.
There is only one significant straight on the Hungaroring, which means that the tyres do not get much opportunity to cool down. As a result, the medium tyre in particular (a low working range compound) will be constantly working at the upper end of its working range if it is hot. However, rain has been seen at the Hungaroring in the past too (last year for example) and could make an appearance this weekend and spice up the action during the course of the weekend.
Here are the facts and figures heading into the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend-
Facts and Figures
•Hungary has hosted the Grand Prix at Budapest since 1986.
•Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are the most successful drivers at the track with four wins each.
•Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver currently to win the Grand Prix with four wins.
•McLaren is the most successful constructor to win the Grand Prix with eleven wins.
•Race distance: 306.63km (190.53miles)
•Number of turns:14
•Top speed: 305kph
•Lap record: Michael Schumacher- Ferrari (2004)- 1.19.071
Winners from the last five Hungarian Grand Prix:-
• 2010-Mark Webber
• 2011-Jenson Button
• 2012-Lewis Hamilton
• 2013- Lewis Hamilton
• 2014- Daniel Ricciardo
My five things to look out for this weekend
1.Weather- As I have mentioned before, the weather can throw a surprise in Hungary and if that is the case, we should see a good race throughout the field with drivers battling each other and while also managing their tyres too.
2.Tyre and driver performance- With the track being hard on tyres and also on the performance of the drivers due to the characteristics of the Budapest circuit; we could see teams and drivers struggling to get the Pirelli compounds lasting throughout the course of the weekend and also maintain high levels of concentration in the race. Will this impact anyone's race on Sunday as a result?
3.Performance of the Mercedes drivers- With Mercedes having dominated in Australia, having a “damage limitation†weekend in Malaysia and winning in China, Bahrain, Spain, Monaco, Canada, Austria and Silverstone; Mercedes are clearly still the favourites to retain both of their championships this season and winning at Hungary this weekend. But the real question is; will anyone be able to pose a challenge over the course of the weekend once again and be able to take the lead of the Driver's Championship away from Hamilton?
4.Performance of the Manor F1 Team- For a team that have suffered so much in the last year, all eyes will be upon the team who will want to put in a great performance to remember Jules Bianchi who without his points finish in Monaco last year might not be here racing this weekend. I really do hope that the team, Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi have a great race and pay tribute to Jules in the manner that they would like with a great performance on the track.
5.Remembering Jules Bianchi- With the F1 World and community paying their respects to Jules on Tuesday at his funeral in Nice alongside the FIA retiring his race number as a mark of respect; many of the drivers and the teams will want to show their respect to him during the weekend; in whatever way they feel comfortable with and also in a respectable manner that is shows just how much of a talented driver he was and that he will be sorely missed by everyone who loves and works for the sport.
Sky Sports F1 are showing uninterrupted coverage of every Practice session, Qualifying and race for the Grand Prix (and every race of the season) and the BBC also are showing coverage, details for both are below:-
•*Sky Sports F1*:- Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 8.45am and 12.45pm [Replays throughout Thursday and Friday], Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 9.45am and 12.00pm [Replays throughout Saturday], Sunday (Race) 11.30am
•*BBC*- Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 8.55am and 12.55pm, Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 9.55am and 12.10pm, Sunday (Race and race highlights) 12.15pm and 7.00pm
Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa
