By Bilal Khan 
The Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest is set to host the final round of Formula 1 before the summer break. The track layout at the Hungaroring is anticipated to offer Ferrari an opportunity to challenge Mercedes, according to some assessments. Lewis Hamilton has expressed that Ferrari needs to “come and fight for the win” at the upcoming event, while McLaren boss Andrea Stella expects Ferrari to be “extremely competitive.”
In the last four rounds, Ferrari and Mercedes have each secured two wins. Despite this, Mercedes has generally demonstrated stronger outright pace throughout much of the season. Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads Hamilton by 45 points and George Russell by 50 points in the Drivers’ Championship, showed strong form in Belgium last weekend. He overcame a disadvantage related to a Virtual Safety Car to defeat Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari’s performance at Spa-Francorchamps was closer than some had expected, which could be a positive sign for the Hungaroring. This circuit is characterised by numerous corners, a feature that is believed to suit Ferrari’s car characteristics. Andrea Stella commented that Ferrari could be the fastest car in the corners at tracks like Hungary and the Netherlands, describing them as “extremely competitive.”
Ferrari’s potential in Budapest
Lewis Hamilton has achieved multiple victories at the Hungarian Grand Prix. However, recent five-second time penalties in the last two races have prevented him from contending for a win since his success at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Hamilton stated his hope for competitiveness and his need to perform well in Budapest to contend for a win.
This year, Ferrari has been noted for its strong performance in corners, while its power unit has been considered a weakness. Nevertheless, the team has reportedly reduced the gap to Mercedes and Red Bull in this area. Tracks like Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps demand a powerful engine due to their long straight sections. In contrast, the Hungaroring places a greater emphasis on chassis performance.
Energy deployment is not expected to be a significant factor at the Hungaroring, suggesting that cars with superior chassis will perform well. Karun Chandhok suggested that a repeat of Barcelona, where Hamilton was victorious, could occur. Chandhok observed that Ferrari’s aerodynamic package and cornering speeds were very strong in Barcelona. Bernie Collins added that Hungary and Zandvoort, the first race after the summer break, are circuits where straight-line performance is less critical, favouring downforce and cornering ability, which could benefit Ferrari.
Despite these expectations, Ferrari team members remain cautious. Similar optimism surrounded Ferrari before the Monaco Grand Prix in June, where Antonelli converted pole position into a victory. Charles Leclerc highlighted the difficulty in predicting team performance levels, recalling that the team underperformed in Monaco compared to expectations. He emphasised the need for caution and focusing on their own preparations.
Since Monaco, Ferrari has introduced upgrades that have further enhanced their cornering performance. However, team principal Frederic Vasseur is also managing expectations. He noted that all teams would likely bring upgrades, making the overall performance picture uncertain. Vasseur stressed the importance of execution, tyre management, and setup, stating that success is not guaranteed and each weekend presents a new challenge.
Team preparations and driver insights
The Cadillac Formula 1 Team is travelling to Budapest directly from the Belgian Grand Prix. The Hungaroring has been a consistent fixture on the calendar since 1986. The circuit is known for its series of medium-low speed corners and short straights, which limit overtaking opportunities. Strategy, particularly concerning tyre management, often plays a crucial role due to the high temperatures and heat absorption by the asphalt.
Colton Herta, a test driver, will participate in the first practice session, substituting for Valtteri Bottas. This marks Herta’s second session of the year, following his debut at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac’s Team Principal, mentioned that Hungary might suit their car’s characteristics better than the previous week. He also highlighted the team’s focus on improving reliability and understanding their car package, including stress-testing new brake drums.
Both Valtteri Bottas and Checo Perez have experience at the Hungaroring. Bottas won in the GP3 series and has achieved podium finishes in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Perez also reached the podium in the GP2 series and secured a podium in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Perez noted the challenge of back-to-back races with different circuit characteristics, while Bottas expressed optimism that the Hungaroring would be better suited to their car.
Nico Hülkenberg, an Audi works driver, did not score points at the previous weekend in Belgium, finishing in 13th place. He has competed in multiple Grand Prix races at the Hungaroring, scoring points on two occasions, with his best result being a sixth-place finish in his debut GP season. Hülkenberg expressed his focus on the upcoming race, aiming for a trouble-free weekend and a good result before the summer break. He believes that if the car can be set up within a good operating window, they will be in a strong position.
The Cadillac Formula 1 Team has completed its first ten races, covering 836 laps and 4,331 kilometres. The team’s cars have finished races 13 times out of 20 starts, with both cars completing races in China, Japan, Miami, and Great Britain. The team’s best finish to date was 13th place for Valtteri Bottas in China.
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Source: skysports.com
