Hungarian Grand Prix Weekend Round-up: Key Insights and Developments
As the anticipation for today’s Hungarian Grand Prix builds, the Formula 1 paddock at the Hungaroring has been abuzz with significant developments, challenging qualifying sessions, and crucial updates from supporting categories. From unexpected qualifying results to critical decisions by race stewards and intriguing insights from team principals, this weekend has already delivered plenty of talking points. Join us as we dive into a comprehensive round-up of the latest news and insights from the heart of the motorsport world.
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Weekend Highlights and Paddock News
Perez laments “missed opportunity” for fourth in qualifying
Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez managed to break a frustrating streak of five consecutive rounds without reaching Q3 during yesterday’s qualifying session in Hungary. While making it into the final segment was an improvement, Perez expressed strong belief that he should have secured a much higher grid position than ninth. He finished four-tenths of a second slower than pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton and his teammate Max Verstappen, a gap he felt was largely attributable to correctable errors.
Perez elaborated on the challenges faced, particularly noting the impact of the new Alternative Tyre Allocation (ATA) format on their strategy. “We showed very strong pace at times,” he stated, highlighting the car’s potential. However, he admitted, “Unfortunately with this [Alternative Tyre Allocation] format we just played around a little bit too much with the tyre prep.” He pinpointed a critical moment during his hot lap, revealing, “I had a bad first sector, losing a tenth-and-a-half. So I think without that I should have been P4, but never mind. I believe that we’ve got a good car underneath us.” This sentiment reflects a mix of frustration over a missed opportunity and underlying confidence in Red Bull’s machinery, suggesting that despite starting P9, Perez still harbors strong ambitions for the race.
Stroll avoids penalty for impeding Bottas amidst track congestion
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll found himself under investigation for impeding Valtteri Bottas during the intense Q1 session, but ultimately escaped a grid penalty. The stewards, after reviewing the incident, determined that while Bottas’s Alfa Romeo was indeed impeded, the situation on track involved contributions from several other drivers, making it difficult to attribute “unnecessary” impedance solely to Stroll.
The official ruling stated: “While it was clear that car 77 [Bottas] was impeded, Article 37.5 required that the car not be ‘unnecessarily’ impeded by another car. Here, given the situation on track and the fact that the driver and the team representative of Car 77 did not feel that there was a single other competitor that unnecessarily impeded, we decided that there would be no further action.” This decision underscores the complexities of race control, where congested tracks and multiple factors can influence outcomes, leading to leniency even when a driver’s lap is affected.
Haas fined for electronic tyre return oversight
The Haas F1 Team incurred a total fine of €10,000 (approximately £8,650) for a procedural error during Friday practice at the Hungaroring. The team failed to electronically return a set of intermediate tyres from each of their cars, despite physically handing them back to Pirelli. This incident highlights the stringent and often complex regulatory framework within Formula 1, where administrative details are as crucial as on-track performance.
The rules stipulate that tyre sets must be electronically registered as returned to the supplier. While the physical return was completed, the electronic oversight led to the penalty. Such fines serve as a reminder to all teams of the meticulous attention to detail required to comply with every aspect of the FIA’s sporting regulations.
Novalak hit with grid penalty after F2 sprint race collision
Trident driver Clement Novalak will face a five-place grid penalty for today’s Formula 2 feature race, dropping him from his qualified 15th position to 20th. Stewards deemed him “wholly responsible” for a collision with Ralph Boschung during yesterday’s sprint race. The incident occurred when Novalak locked up under braking for Turn 1, making contact with the right-rear of Boschung’s Campos car. The damage sustained by Boschung was significant enough to force his retirement from the race.
This penalty is a significant setback for Novalak, impacting his starting position for the crucial feature race, where a strong result could have yielded valuable championship points. It also serves as a stark reminder of the consequences for aggressive driving or misjudgment in the highly competitive junior categories.
Formula 3 feature race shortened due to tyre wear concerns
The FIA has taken the precautionary measure of shortening today’s Formula 3 feature race, reducing it from its original 24 laps to 19 laps (or 45 minutes plus one additional tour). This decision was made following a recommendation from tyre supplier Pirelli, who cited “the level of wear experienced” during yesterday’s sprint race as a primary concern. The Hungaroring, with its twisty nature and high-speed corners, can be particularly demanding on tyres, and the safety of the drivers is always paramount.
This adjustment highlights the constant vigilance required in motorsport to monitor and adapt to evolving track conditions and performance factors. Ensuring tyre integrity throughout the race distance is crucial for both competition and safety, and this intervention aims to prevent potential issues arising from excessive degradation.
Hitech fined for unsafe car release after battery breach
Hitech Grand Prix was issued a €500 (approximately £432) fine for releasing Gabriele Mini’s car in an unsafe condition prior to yesterday’s F3 sprint race. The incident involved the battery falling off Mini’s car after Turn 3 at the Hungaroring, while the Alpine junior driver was en route from the F3 paddock to the Formula 1 pit lane. Despite the technical infraction, Mini ultimately went on to win the sprint race by a comfortable margin of 4.2 seconds.
Crucially, Mini was spared a sporting penalty that could have cost him his victory, with stewards opting for a financial penalty against the team instead. This decision underscores that while safety breaches are taken seriously, the specific circumstances can influence the nature of the penalty, balancing the integrity of the sporting result with accountability for team procedures.
Diverse Motorsport Insights: Engaging Links from Across the Paddock
Here’s a collection of compelling articles and interviews offering deeper perspectives on the world of motorsport, from F1 legends to rising stars and technical discussions:
Sir Jackie Stewart on the late Queen: She moved draught pieces around like a machine gun (The Telegraph)
In a revealing interview, motorsport icon Sir Jackie Stewart discusses his continued work ethic despite recent health challenges, including a transient ischaemic attack. He reflects on his enduring commitment to various causes, noting, “Sir Jackie is still working well beyond retirement age and shows no sign of putting his feet up. After the summer, he is due to attend the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.” The article delves into his personal reflections, including a vivid anecdote about the late Queen Elizabeth II’s sharp intellect and competitive spirit, illustrating her incredible focus and strategic mind, likening her precise movements to the rapid fire of a machine gun.
Mike on… the Hungarian Grand Prix (Aston Martin)
Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack offers his perspective on the ongoing experimentation within Formula 1, specifically addressing the Alternative Tyre Allocation (ATA) format. He emphasizes the importance of innovation and an open-minded approach for the sport’s evolution: “I’m pleased that we’re trying this (the Alternative Tyre Allocation). I think the sport has to stay open-minded and open to new ideas. We can’t have too much of a purist mindset. We have to work together, try new things, evolve the sport. Not everything we try will work, and not everything will stay forever – but that’s okay: it’s important to try these things and if they don’t work, we say okay and try something else.” His comments highlight a pragmatic view towards developing F1 for the future.
Read every word from F1 engine guru Mario Illien’s Beyond The Grid interview (F1)
A comprehensive transcript of the “Beyond The Grid” interview with legendary F1 engine designer Mario Illien provides a treasure trove of technical insights and personal anecdotes. Illien recounts a particularly impressive performance by Mika Hakkinen: “The other thing Mika was impressive in: I remember a race in Hockenheim, we were leading the race and they fuelled him short, they didn’t get all the fuel in. He had to do a lot of fuel saving to finish the race. And he managed to reduce the fuel consumption by around 10% and not lose much of the lap time. That was extremely impressive.” This story exemplifies Hakkinen’s extraordinary skill and intelligence as a driver, showcasing his ability to manage resources under immense pressure without compromising pace significantly.
Pourchaire dreaming of Budapest Feature Race victory as Championship turning point (Formula 2)
Théo Pourchaire, a leading contender in the Formula 2 championship, shares his aspirations for the Budapest Feature Race, viewing it as a potential turning point in his title bid. He vividly describes his mindset using a compelling cycling analogy: “Today starting from the paddock to go to the F1 pit lane, I was just behind Fred (Vesti) and in my head, I was thinking this situation is like the Tour de France. He’s the man with the yellow jersey and I’m right behind him. I’m Tadej Pogacar and he’s Jonas Vingegaard – he’s Danish. So, I need to be right behind him and as soon as I feel great, I need to do a great race, take a lot of points from him and tomorrow can be a great opportunity.” Pourchaire’s determination and strategic thinking are palpable as he positions himself to challenge his rival for championship supremacy.
Cooper King was a high school track star. Now, he’s winning a different race on the IndyCar circuit (Des Moines Register)
This feature tells the inspiring story of Cooper King, who transitioned from a high school track star to a pivotal engineer in the IndyCar series. The article highlights his journey and the invaluable experience he brings to the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team as a shock technician. “Since 1982, King has done everything from sitting behind the wheel to captaining the garages. His brief career as a racer has been invaluable for communicating the physical impact of data. As the shock technician, King will monitor and work out any kinks on the shocks of Christian Lundgaard’s green No. 45 car this weekend in Newton.” His unique background, blending driver intuition with engineering precision, proves to be a significant asset in fine-tuning car performance.
Juju Noda takes historic win at Paul Ricard (Euroformula Open)
Juju Noda made history at Circuit Paul Ricard by securing a landmark victory in Race 1 of the Euroformula Open, becoming the first woman to win in the series. The report notes her perseverance: “Unlucky a few weeks ago at the Hungaroring, the Japanese driver took advantage of the events in France to secure a well-deserved first victory which confirms her constant progression.” This significant achievement not only marks a personal milestone for Noda but also represents a pivotal moment for women in motorsport, showcasing her talent and consistent development in a highly competitive single-seater championship.
We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it to us via the contact form.
From the Digital Paddock: Social Media Buzz
Catch up on the latest buzz and reactions from drivers, teams, and fans across social media platforms, capturing the immediate aftermath of qualifying and the build-up to the race:
@mercedesamgf1 Yessss! How the garage reacted to pole position for Lewis in Budapest. 👏👏👏 #F1 #Motorsport #MercedesF1 #LewisHamilton
♬ original sound – Mercedes-AMG F1
Mercedes-AMG F1 shared a thrilling TikTok video capturing the sheer joy and explosive celebration within their garage as Lewis Hamilton snatched pole position in Budapest. The clip perfectly illustrates the team’s collective excitement and relief after a hard-fought qualifying session, underscoring the significance of Hamilton’s first pole in 33 rounds.
|@LewisHamilton takes his place in the post-qualifying press conference:
“I forgot what it feels like to sit in this spot…”#F1 #HungarianGP #RaceFans
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) July 22, 2023
RaceFans captured Lewis Hamilton’s poignant remark during the post-qualifying press conference. After securing pole position, he humorously admitted, “I forgot what it feels like to sit in this spot…”, highlighting the long wait since his last pole and the emotional weight of his achievement at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Not what we were aiming for, but we keep pushing 👊 More tomorrow @redbullracing 🤝#HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/YlFBVettYC
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) July 22, 2023
Max Verstappen, despite his championship lead, expressed mild disappointment with his qualifying performance, tweeting, “Not what we were aiming for, but we keep pushing 👊 More tomorrow @redbullracing 🤝”. His tweet reflects the high standards at Red Bull, even when starting P2, and an immediate focus on improving for the race.
So close but so far! P3, great day and lovely position for tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/OrEUmSyxrs
— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) July 22, 2023
Lando Norris celebrated his impressive P3 start with a tweet conveying both excitement and a touch of what-if: “So close but so far! P3, great day and lovely position for tomorrow!” His performance highlights McLaren’s recent resurgence and positions him well for a strong points finish in the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Good day in the office 😆 pic.twitter.com/ldSCsE0UlY
— 周冠宇 | Zhou Guanyu 🇨🇳 (@ZhouGuanyu24) July 22, 2023
Zhou Guanyu shared a positive update, tweeting, “Good day in the office 😆”, accompanying it with a photo. His upbeat message reflects a satisfying qualifying performance that saw him secure a strong grid position for Alfa Romeo, demonstrating his growing confidence and pace.
Starting 6th for tomorrow’s race with a good lap in Q3. Difficult weekend so far but we’ll try to turn that around tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/vwCUhcyT16
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) July 22, 2023
Charles Leclerc, starting P6, acknowledged the challenges of the weekend but maintained a determined outlook. He tweeted, “Starting 6th for tomorrow’s race with a good lap in Q3. Difficult weekend so far but we’ll try to turn that around tomorrow.” His words reflect Ferrari’s ongoing quest for optimal performance and his personal commitment to maximizing their race day potential.
“These are the foundations we knew we had to build” 💪
James checks in after a tricky qualifying in Hungary 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/F7U9nREVW3
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) July 22, 2023
Williams Racing shared a message from Team Principal James Vowles after a challenging qualifying session, quoting him as saying, “These are the foundations we knew we had to build 💪”. His remarks indicate a focus on long-term development and strategic rebuilding for the team, even through difficult weekends like the Hungarian Grand Prix.
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the Day: Hamilton’s Resurgent Pole
Following Lewis Hamilton’s remarkable return to pole position after 33 rounds, our reader David BR shared his impressed perspective on the multiple world champion’s exceptional performance:
Finally pole position was within reach of the Mercedes, just about, and Hamilton nailed it first go by a tiny amount. That’s multiple champion-level driving. Really did not expect that: I thought Red Bull’s upgrades would see them (well Verstappen) comfortably ahead still.
Can’t see Hamilton turning this into a race win, but it’s a start for Mercedes. Like he said, it seemed like his first ever pole position all over again.
David BR
David BR eloquently captures the surprise and admiration for Hamilton’s ability to seize the opportunity, delivering a “champion-level” performance against expectations, particularly with Red Bull’s strong form. While cautious about a race win, he acknowledges the immense significance of this pole for both Hamilton and Mercedes, setting a positive tone for their future endeavors.
Happy Birthday!
A special shout-out to Matt and Lalit Palaparthy! We wish you a fantastic birthday filled with joy and celebration!
On This Day in Motorsport History
- 35 years ago today, Ayrton Senna secured a brilliant pole position for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, with Nigel Mansell’s Williams surprisingly joining him on the front row in second. This memorable qualifying session highlighted Senna’s raw speed and the competitive landscape of Formula 1 in 1988.