The Hungarian Grand Prix is about as much as present a riveting contest after Charles Leclerc’s shock pole place.
He may have the McLaren pair respiratory down his neck on race day. Additional again the likes of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton should attempt to recuperate from disappointments in qualifying.
How will they method the race strategically? Right here’s all the important thing information for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Climate
The Hungaroring will get a dousing earlier than the Method 1 drivers return to the observe tomorrow. Nevertheless there’s a sturdy probability the observe may have time to dry out earlier than the beginning time at 3pm.
This can affect observe situations, nevertheless, eradicating a lot of the rubber which has constructed up over the weekend and altering the grip ranges. Ambient situations gained’t be fairly as scorching both, with temperatures peaking within the mid-twenties, however the race is anticipated to happen in sunny situations with observe temperatures rising.
Begin
The run to the primary nook is likely one of the longest, which punishes drivers who fail to get away properly. Pole-winner Charles Leclerc will face a two-pronged assault from the McLaren drivers on the run to show one.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris might be properly conscious that their greatest possibilities of successful relaxation on clearing Leclerc and scampering off into the lead with the Ferrari separating them from their staff mate.
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Distance from pole place to first braking zone. Supply: Mercedes
Final 12 months Piastri took the lead off pole-winner Norris whereas Max Verstappen cut up the McLaren drivers by going off the observe at flip one. He ultimately selected to relinquish the place quite than threat a penalty.
Nevertheless in Jeddah this 12 months Verstappen once more went off at flip one to get forward of a McLaren and this time saved his place. Race management gave him a five-second time penalty, judging that because it was the primary lap of the race they need to be extra lenient. Both of the McLaren drivers would possibly contemplate {that a} value value paying to return out of flip one within the lead of the race with Leclerc in second.
Technique
Final 12 months drivers selected the next compounds to start out the race on:
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Pirelli expects groups will lean in direction of two-stop methods, particularly if the climate is scorching and the ‘inexperienced’ observe will increase tyre degradation. If the day seems cooler, some drivers could threat one-stop methods. An entire pit cease takes round 21 seconds.
Many of the front-running groups most popular to maintain two units of arduous tyres at hand after second apply. The total listing of obtainable tyres for every driver might be added right here as soon as it has been printed by Pirelli.
Overtaking
The Hungaroring has a popularity for being a observe which is tough to go on. That is largely true, however the energy of the DRS impact is stronger than at Spa, so drivers could possibly achieve locations pretty simply if in addition they benefit from recent tyres. The DRS zones are unchanged from final 12 months, with a detection level forward of the ultimate nook and activation zones on the next two straights.
The stewards’ new pointers for 2025 concerning overtaking strikes could properly have a bearing on drivers making strikes into the lengthy turns one and two throughout the race, particularly if their rivals take the chance to power them huge. Within the ultimate race earlier than the summer time break, a number of drivers are already midway in direction of potential race bans:
Pace entice
Leclerc has one of many quickest vehicles in a straight line which can assist him out-run the McLarens to show one at first. However with the entire subject lined by lower than 6kph the DRS impact might be vital.
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Security Automobiles
Neither the Security Automotive nor the Digital Security Automotive was seen over the past two Hungarian grands prix. Current Security Automotive intervals have seen a spate of drivers complaining about rivals slowing sharply forward of them, doubtlessly in an try and set off penalties. This even occurred in Saturday’s Method 2 dash race on the Hungaroring, although no penalty was issued.
Grid
The grid for this 12 months’s race is as follows. Any adjustments between now and the beginning of the race might be added right here:
Championship implications
If the drivers end within the order they begin Piastri will prolong his lead over Norris to 19 factors forward of the summer time break.
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Over to you
Will Leclerc maintain the McLarens in his mirrors all the best way – or will one in every of them break by means of to assert one other victory for his or her championship trigger?
Share your views on the Hungarian Grand Prix within the feedback.
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2025 Hungarian Grand Prix
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