Hungary marks the final race earlier than System 1’s summer time break throughout most of August.
Who will go into the break with their work reduce out for the second half of the 12 months, and who will probably be kicking again and rewarding themselves for a job properly completed after 14 races?
After Hungary, F1 returns August 29-31 for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
This is what’s developing this weekend…
Climate forecast – attainable rain?
At this level within the week, the forecast is trying heat and sunny with highs of 28°C (82°F) on Friday and related circumstances Saturday.
Sunday appears cooler and cloudy with an opportunity of sunshine rain.
Soar to: Circuit history & stats | Race predictions | How to watch | Championship standings
Market debut information
Circuit stats and historical past
The Hungaroring grew to become the primary venue to host a grand prix behind the Iron Curtain in 1986 and has since turn out to be a mainstay on the F1 calendar.
Typically in comparison with a go-kart circuit as a consequence of its tight structure and lack of straights, the two.7-mile monitor has solely obtained minor modifications, together with a profitable try to help overtaking into Flip 1 in 2003.
Identified for thrilling and weird races, it has been the scene of 5 maiden victories, together with Damon Hill’s in 1993, Fernando Alonso’s in 2003, Jenson Button’s in 2006, Heikki Kovalainen in 2008, Esteban Ocon’s in 2021, and Oscar Piastri’s in 2024.
Circuit: Hungaroring; Budapest, Hungary
First F1 race: 1986
Laps: 70 laps of 4.38km. Whole distance 306km
Lap document: 1:16.627 — Lewis Hamilton (2020)
Most wins: Hamilton with eight (2007, 2009, 2012-2013, 2016, 2018-2020). Different winners from the present grid:
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Fernando Alonso (2003)
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Esteban Ocon (2021)
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Verstappen (2022-2023)
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Piastri (2024)
Most poles: Hamilton with 9 (2007-2008, 2012-2013, 2015, 2018, 2020-2021, 2023). Different pole sitters from the present grid:
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Alonso (2003, 2009)
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Verstappen (2019)
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George Russell (2022)
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Norris (2024)
What makes it particular: Slender, twisty and packing in appreciable elevation change, the Hungaroring presents drivers a novel problem; a driver’s monitor if there ever was one. Their reward for getting it proper? Podium finishers obtain a porcelain vase-like trophy handmade by native ceramists price €40,000.
What the drivers say about it: “It’s extremely technical with some enjoyable nook combos, which come thick and quick. All of the corners mix in a manner, and one small error means the subsequent nook is compromised. It is essential to strike that steadiness and concord with the automobile. It is normally a bodily grand prix, highly regarded and busy on the wheel. It is a race the place health is vital, extra so than some races, and that is a problem I relish.” — Nico Hülkenberg
The place to observe from: Flip 1 grandstand. Drivers discuss with the Hungaroring as “Monaco with out partitions,” the place the tight, twisty structure makes overtaking a difficult endeavour. So your greatest guess to glimpse wheel-to-wheel motion is from the Flip 1 grandstand, the place spectators can watch drivers brake as late as they dare following the 908-metre start-finish straight.
Enjoyable info about Hungaroring:
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Whereas Hamilton is essentially the most profitable driver right here with a whopping 9 victories, there’s a full blended bag of pole sitters.
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With the variety of maiden victories right here, Hungary is a superb circuit for throwing up a shock winner.
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Fernando Alonso was 22 on the time of his 2003 victory, which made him the youngest driver to take pole place and win a grand prix. Two years later he took the title of youngest world champion at 24.
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The Belgian GP was McLaren’s 199th win, can they make it 200 this weekend?
What occurred final 12 months?
It was Oscar Piastri’s first F1 grand prix victory, however McLaren workforce orders dictated the winner.
Piastri obtained forward of pole-sitter Norris firstly, but it surely was throughout the second pit stops when Norris got here out forward and was later informed to present the place again so his Australian teammate might take the chequered flag.
Who will win?
With 10 wins from 13 races, McLaren stay the workforce to beat and may have a good greater benefit than regular on the tight and twisty Hungaroring.
Oscar Piastri was our decide final week, however we’ll again Lando Norris this week within the hope of a small factors hole between the runaway championship leaders heading into the summer time break.
1:23
Is it ‘make or break’ for Lando Norris on the Hungarian GP?
The “Unlapped” workforce focus on the significance of successful the Hungarian Grand Prix for Lando Norris as he goals to win the 2025 F1 Drivers’ World Championship.
How the championships look
The theme of McLaren dominance continues in each championships. Chief Piastri is 16 factors forward of Norris, with third-place Max Verstappen needing over 65 factors to catch as much as the papaya workforce.
McLaren have run away with the constructors’ championship with 516 factors, however regardless of not successful a race this 12 months, Ferrari have been constant level scorers, making them better of the remainder with 248 factors — 28 factors forward of Mercedes (third), and 56 forward of Crimson Bull (4th).
The right way to watch the GP
For followers within the U.S. solely, watch dwell on ESPN and ESPN+.
Within the UK dwell broadcast protection is on Sky Sports activities F1 and BBC Radio 5 Dwell, with highlights on Channel 4.
For information, evaluation and updates, follow the coverage with ESPN’s F1 team Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson in Budapest and on social media.
Session instances beneath in BST (British Summer season Time). Native time is Central European Summer season Time (BST+1 hour).
Friday
Free apply one: 12:30-13:30 BST
Free apply two: 16:30-17:00 BST
Saturday
Free apply three: 11:30-12:30 BST
Qualifying: 15:00-16:00 BST
Sunday
Race begins: 14:00 BST (dwell textual content commentary build-up from 13:15 BST on ESPN.co.uk/F1).
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