After a series of successful races the Williams Martini team prepares for the final race prior to the seasons summer break, the 2014 Hungarian GP. The Hungaroring track is difficult with aerodynamics playing a major role in getting the downforce necessary for this twisty track. Both team drivers Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa recognise the difficulties that this track creates but both are confient that they can secure another good result for the team.
With an average speed of
just 120mph, the Hungaroring is the slowest permanent circuit on the
Formula One calendar. But that doesn’t lessen the challenge of one of
the most tortuous races in the calendar.
Track conditions are very dusty and slippery at the start of the
weekend, making it very easy for drivers to make a mistake during Friday
practice. A racing line appears quickly, once the cars have completed a
few laps, but conditions remain treacherous off-line and that makes
overtaking difficult during the race.
The drivers will tell you that it’s one of the most physical races of
the year, due to the constant succession of corners and very few
straights, and the high ambient temperatures can result in cockpit
temperatures in excess of 60 degrees. At least they have the four-week
summer break after the race in which to recover!
Rod Smedley:
Hungary is a very high downforce circuit with low efficiency. It’s
usually very hot there and with the tyre compounds that Pirelli will be
bringing, it’ll be a difficult race. It’s a very important race as it’s
the last before the summer break. Psychologically it’s important to get
a good haul of points and come away in a strong position. In terms of
the track, it’s one where rear tyre graining can be an issue, depending
on the modulus of the tyre. In the past, teams have suffered from front
graining as well, so it will be a struggle to control both.
Felipe Massa:
Hungary is a track where a good power unit is a little less important.
Aerodynamics play a higher part and getting good downforce for the
corners is vital. We have worked hard to get the car ready for this type
of circuit and if that has all worked we should still be competitive. I
hope to be able to get lots more points this weekend.
Valtteri Bottas:
Budapest is the last race before the summer break. We are aiming for a
good result there so we head into the holidays with a good feeling. We
know it’s not the best circuit for our car but we are working on getting
more grip in the corners and we have some upgrades that should help as
well. Qualifying is very important as it’s not an easy track to overtake
at; normally the race is hot as well so tyre degradation will be high. A
good few practice sessions should help us get the set-up right. There
are always a few fans from Finland, it’s almost like a Finnish GP so I
hope to pay the fans back with a good result.
Race Data Friday:
Practice 1: 10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2: 14:00 - 15:30 Saturday:
Practice 3: 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying: 14:00 – 15:00 Sunday: Race: 14:00
J4ck bad news for Felipe
@tedkravitz Felipe Massa can't run the latest (fastest) floor on his Williams this weekend as it was damaged in Ger GP roll. Advantage Bottas
Maybe such gives him an enough mental relief so that he can still admit to be 6th without the "need" of being hit in the 1st corner.
I would buy 3rd and 6th.
13+6 is more than 18+0
Ham-Ros-Bot-Alo-Vet(we need miles and stress on Vet #4 engine...)-Mas-2 FI, 2 Macca-Ric 11th (oooohhh, no points, so sorry...)
A good challenge for the team this weekend to get the most out of the car. Good that there are some updates (according to Bottas) that we can hopefully, use on other high downforce tracks..
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