Hungarian Grand Prix Preview

**Another 3 week break is finally over, but there has at least been a testing session between the last Grand Prix in Germany to keep us all focused. I was there and will be conducting some of my findings in this preview.

Hungary is a place close to my heart, Budapest is a beautiful city and one I certainly recommend visiting.

Formula 1 is in action at the Hungarorng this weekend, it's set to be a scorcher too. Here is my Preview of the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Facts.
Lap: 4.381 km
Race Laps: 70
Lap Record: 1:19.071
M Schumacher (2004)
2012 Winner: Lewis Hamilton
Race Date: 28.07.2013
Safety Car – Possible
Weather – Hot and Sunny
Tyre Allocation – Soft & Medium
DRS Zones: Pit-straight and between turns 1 and 3.

The Circuit
The Hungaroring is one of my favourite circuits in Formula 1, it's a challenging circuit with lots of interesting features. It has plenty of undulation which is a real challenge on a number of corners. Spotting the apex on some corners can be extremely difficult at 170mph. It is also quite a narrow circuit, driving here can feel very tight like a street circuit, similar to Canada for example.

The Hungarians love Formula 1 and they are a very proud nation to host a Grand Prix. Hungary first hosted a Grand Prix in the 1930s believe it or not, but it wasn't really until the 1960s when the sport began to find it's place. The Hungaroring opened in 1986 and has been the home of Formula 1 in the country ever since.

Ahead of this race was of course the young drivers test, I was at Silverstone on the final day of testing and I found out some very interesting news. Firstly I spoke to Lotus, who confirmed to me that, they are the ones to watch in Hungary. The team are very confident of their new upgrades for this weekend, so keep your eye on them. Also they made no attempt to hide the news that Nico Hulkenberg visited their factory in Enstone after the British Grand Prix. Many believe, myself included that he will join Lotus next season. What's more, I actually think it's not out of the question that he could replace Grosjean towards the end of this season.

Now obviously tyres were also on the agenda at Silverstone, I was watching closely from the Pit Lane. Ferrari were doing long runs with Massa, after which the tyres looked in a highly grained condition. I asked the team what they thought, the response was a negative, “so, so”. They admitted that it could be better for them. I checked the tyres on all the cars, Lotus were looking the best of all. One thing I did notice at the team was how much Nicolas Prost looks like his father.

I've visited the paddock a number of times this season, many of you on Twitter have been asking me to write a feature on my experience. I am working on it, you can see it during the summer break online right here at Driving For Pleasure.

Hungarian Grand Prix Times.
Friday
First Practice – 09:00
Second Practice – 13:00
Saturday
Third Practice – 10:00
Qualifying – 13:00
Sunday
Race – 13:00

I'll be reporting on all the F1 action throughout the weekend right here at Driving For Pleasure. GP2 is also in action once again, we have the full Grand Prix weekend covered right here.

You can catch up with all the latest Formula 1 news and updates by following us on Twitter @TomWilkinsonF1. Also follow the latest news by following @Drivin4Pleasure or log onto www.drivingforpleasure.co.uk