Hungarian Grand Prix 2011 at Budapest Preview

Jul 25, 2011
Steve Rogerson

Lewis Hamilton celebrates his win in Germany - Photo from McLaren

The Formula One racing drivers head for the Hungaroring near Budapest for the Hungary Grand Prix on Sunday 31 July 2011.

Lewis Hamilton will be glad for only a one-week break between races. The McLaren driver is trying to keep his winning momentum going as the Formula One racing drivers prepare for the Hungary Grand Prix in Budapest on Sunday 31 July 2011. Hamilton had the drive of his life to win the German Grand Prix, his second win of the season, and moved up to third in the drivers' championship, though still a massive 82 points behind championship leader Sebastian Vettel.

The Red Bull driver had a poor day out at his home grand prix in Germany, only managing fourth and it could have even been a place worse if the Ferrari team had not taken too long over Felipe Massa’s final pit stop, letting Vettel pass him in the pits with one lap to go. Massa’s team mate Fernando Alonso had a good day, finishing second, and that could have been better if Hamilton hadn’t caught him napping as he came out of the pits.

Vettel’s team mate Mark Webber will still be wondering how he did not turn pole position into a win, though a brilliant passing manoeuvre on him on lap 12 by Hamilton was one reason. Hamilton’s McLaren team mate Jenson Button had an even worse day. Beginning from a lowly seventh on the grid, he had a poor start but looked like improving and even sniffing at the last podium place before a hydraulic failure forced him to retire. That was his second non-finish in a row, and neither his fault; at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone his race ended when the pit crew released him with no nut on one wheel.

Though Vettel’s lead still looks unbeatable, the chasing pack will be encouraged by some chinks becoming visible in his armour in recent races. He has only won one of the last four races after winning five of the first six.

Hungary Grand Prix

The lack of very long straights at the Hungaroring makes it a tough test for the drivers as concentration is intense for all 70 laps. It is also normally hot, adding to the drivers’ problems. One of the best overtaking slots is turn one after the start-finish straight, but given how short that straight is then even with DRS it is still a tough task. Apart from that, overtaking in the past has been rare but kers may improve things this year.

Mark Webber won this race in 2010 after Sebastian Vettel took pole.

News From the Pitlane

Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Buemi will have a five-place grid penalty at the Hungaroring following his accident in Germany with Nick Heidfeld’s Lotus Renault. Buemi finished the race in Germany but the crash put Heidfeld out.

Bruno Senna will be back behind the wheel in Hungary after racing for HRT last season. He is now a reserve driver with Lotus Renault and the team have promised him a drive in first practice on Friday, replacing Nick Heidfeld. Heidfeld though is still expected to start the race proper.

Sky Sports will show all the races live in the UK from next season with the BBC only showing ten. Fans have reacted angrily to the news that some races will not be live on free-to-air television.

Standings After Ten Grands Prix

Constructors: 1. Red Bull (355), 2. McLaren (243), 3. Ferrari (192), 4. Mercedes (78), 5. Lotus Renault (66), 6. Sauber (35), 7. Force India (20), 8. Toro Rosso (17), 9. Williams (4).

Drivers: 1. S Vettel (216), 2. M Webber (139), 3. L Hamilton (134), 4. F Alonso (130), 5. J Button (109), 6. F Massa (62), 7. N Rosberg (46), 8. N Heidfeld (34), 9. V Petrov (32), 10. M Schumacher (32), 11. K Kobayashi (27), 12. A Sutil (18), 13. J Alguersuari (9), 14. S Perez (8), 15. S Buemi (8), 15. R Barrichello (4), 17. P di Resta (2).

Grid Positions and Final Qualifying

After final qualifying on Saturday, the following grid positions were decided. Sebastien Buemi will receive a five-place penalty drop on these positions and other penalties may yet still be applied: