After the disappointment of the recent British GP where the Williams Martini team failed to score any points the team moves to the vastly different Hungaroring circuit for the 2016 Hungarian GP. Despite the low speed nature of the circuit the Williams team is still of the view that their car can perform well at this circuit. The team is bringing several updates to the car including a new floor. but it will still be a demanding race what with the high temperatures and the demands placed upon the tyres.
When making a mid-summer
trip to the Hungaroring you can expect to endure temperatures in the
mid-30s. For a driver in the cockpit of a Formula One car, this can be
in excess of 60 degrees. Combining these conditions with the demanding
barrage of corner after corner with very few straights for rest and you
have the kind of situation Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa will have to
endure during the Hungarian Grand Prix. Although moderately slow in
Formula One terms with an average speed over one lap of 120mph, the
slippery track conditions result in the circuit being a challenge the
drivers relish.
PAT SYMONDS:
Although the Hungaroring is a lower speed circuit than we have visited
recently, it is a still a circuit where our car can perform well, and
indeed Valtteri was running fifth last year before a collision dropped
him out of the points. We are bringing a new floor to this race as part
of our continued development, but the real focus will be on the expected
high temperatures and the completely resurfaced track which will be very
demanding on the tyres. We’d expect to see a mixture of two and three
stop strategies in the race, with final decisions resting on the exact
nature of the new asphalt.
FELIPE MASSA:
Hungary is a track where I personally have a lot of history with the
accident I had. As a consequence, I have the most amazing fans there who
support me a lot. They follow me everywhere I go and always have gifts
for me. It’s an amazing place to go back to and spend time with them. As
a track, it’s somewhere you need to have very good downforce with the
short straights and number of corners. It’s quite difficult on the tyres
as well, so if you have good downforce, that will really work well for
you at this track. All in all, it’s a fantastic race in a nice town that
I enjoy.
VALTTERI BOTTAS:
The Hungaroring is probably the most intense track compared to the other
events it falls around during in the season. It’s much tighter with many
slow speed corners and a very technical track to drive, so definitely
not the easiest. Budapest falls in the summertime and normally it’s very
hot. It’s nicknamed the Finnish Grand Prix because there can be tens of
thousands of Finns at the race. I always really appreciate seeing the
Finnish flag and feeling that support.
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
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