Formula 1 teams are arriving in Hungary for the highly anticipated Hungarian Grand Prix, the twelfth round of the thrilling 2023 season. This event will take place near the enchanting city of Budapest and will be held at the renowned Hungaroring circuit, a 2.7-mile track known for its twisty and undulating nature.
The Hungaroring circuit is characterized by its abundance of medium and slow-speed corners, resulting in lower top speeds compared to other circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. In fact, only Monaco offers slower speeds. The track challenges drivers with its numerous corners, making overtaking opportunities scarce. However, there is a chance for drivers to execute successful maneuvers in the first sector, particularly at the end of the main straight. At this point, the cars have to skillfully navigate a demanding downhill right-hander followed closely by two more corners, before the track ascends toward the second sector.
Due to the lower speeds of the Hungaroring circuit, achieving mechanical grip becomes vital, and tire management plays a crucial role in the race. Pirelli, the official tire supplier for Formula 1, has selected its softer compounds for this particular race. The tire options include the White hard compound (C3), the Yellow medium compound (C4), and the Red soft compound (C5).
To add intrigue to this year’s Hungarian Grand Prix, a new tire allocation rule, known as ATA (Alternative Tire Allocation), has been implemented. Formula 1 is experimenting with this rule for the first time in Hungary. Instead of the usual 13 available tire sets for the entire race weekend, each car will only have access to 11 sets, consisting of three hard, four medium, and four soft tires. Furthermore, used tire sets must be returned after the practice sessions, further limiting the quantity available for qualifying and the race itself.
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In addition to the tire allocation rule, drivers face the challenge of using specific compounds during each qualifying session. They are obliged to use the hard compound during the first session, the medium compound during the second session, and the soft compound during the final session, provided that the weather conditions do not necessitate the use of wet tires. According to the current weather forecast, the race weekend is expected to experience fine conditions during both Saturday’s qualifying session and Sunday’s race.
One of the most intriguing storylines in Hungary is the return of Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo to the driver’s seat. Currently serving as a reserve driver for Red Bull, Ricciardo will swap his reserve role for a race seat at AlphaTauri for the remainder of the 2023 season. He will replace rookie Nyck De Vries, adding an extra layer of excitement to the race weekend.
As the teams prepare for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen leads the 2023 Drivers’ Championship with an impressive 255 points. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, closely follows with 156 points, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso holds the third spot in the standings with 137 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull dominates with 411 points, leaving Mercedes-Benz AMG in second place with 203 points and Aston Martin in third with 181 points. Last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix was won by Max Verstappen, representing Red Bull.
With its picturesque location near the beautiful city of Budapest and its challenging circuit layout, the Hungarian Grand Prix promises to deliver yet another exhilarating race weekend for Formula 1 fans around the world. As the drivers battle for victory, they will also have to navigate through the various strategic and technical challenges posed by the Hungaroring. Will Max Verstappen maintain his lead in the championship? Or will we witness a surprising upset? Only time will tell as the cars take to the track in Budapest.
