Grand Prix 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

As F1 continues to salvage something out of 2020 and the covid restrictions, hot on the heels of the Austrian double header, the show rolls over the border to their former imperial partner in crime, Hungary for the 35th running of the Hungarian GP as a world championship point scoring event.

As is well known, F1 first lifted the iron curtain and held an event in the then communist country of Hungary in 1986, exactly 30 years after the brutal crack down and overthrow of the government during the 1956 Hungarian revolution. By 1985 the Hungarian economy was in real danger of collapse and the governement were forced into a series of economic and political reforms. In a 1986 survey 61 percent of Hungarians responded that their position was hopeless or continually worsening. That first Grand Prix almost certainly brought some much needed publicity and a moral boost to the country. As a result of the growing problems within the country and a wider push towards reform, Hungary provided the first spark that would eventually light the end of the cold war. In May 1989 they removed the old border between Austria and Hungary allowing unrestricted travel between the two. The people of East Germany, who were alowed unrestricted travel between socialist countries took the opportunity to circumvent the hated Berlin wall by fleeing into Austria using this newly opened route. Through the summer of 89 the trickle became a flood and by October Hungary had declared itself a Republic with parliamentary elections scheduled to take place the following year and on the 9th of November the Berlin Wall opened.

The Hungarian GP circuit has changed very little since its first race in 1986. There have been modifications to the first corner altering the line into and throught it but little else. The track is seldom used outside of F1 leading to the early race weekend practice times often being misleading due to a dusty circuit with little grip. As the track beds in, the times soon fall. Known as a tight, twisty track, overtaking is very rarely an option here with CTA database statistics showing that for much of the time race overtakes are in single figures. Strangely however, despite all of this, it actually throws up some interesting results, providing debuts and debut wins for a number of drivers. 17 years ago, among the hysteria for the debut of the first ever Hungarian driver to take to the track in his home GP, Zsolt Baumgartner in a Jordan, a well known young Spaniard took his debut win and broke the record for the youngest ever GP winner at that time. I wonder what ever happened to that young driver?

Mercedes have won the last two races here but as it's a track that is less reliant on power and more on grip and handling, it tends to open the race up a little. Last years pole sitter for example was Max Verstappen who went on to finish 2nd in the race, and also qualifying gave Williams one of their best results of the season. With marked improvements from McLaren this year, who had both cars firmly in the points and top 10 all weekend last year, they could also be on for a very strong result this weekend.

Let's hope we get a classic.
 
well lets just say its doesnt bode well for tightly fought championship because the next 3 races are at Lewis Statistically favourite circuits. because if he wins on sunday he will equal another F1 record which he gaining them at the moment like pokemon cards in 90s. so only micheal schumacher as won 1 race 8 times that was the french GP in (94 95 97 98 01 02 04 & 06) & Hamilton would equal it with 8 victories in hungary. then we have 2 races at silverstone where he has won 6 times including 5 of the last 6 yrs
 
Looking at FP1 it would seem that most of the gains made by McLaren and Williams were in straight line speed as demonstrated in Austria which is less useful here in Hungary.

George Russell's FP1 time last year was good enough for 17th and 2.4 seconds off Hamilton's time. This year he was 2.5 seconds from Hamilton's time and in 18th suggesting less improvement from last year than we had hoped.

Further, Hamilton's best lap in FP1 this year was 6 hundredths faster than his Qualifying 1 time. He has already ran a second faster than he did in FP1 last year.
 
Monsoon wet for F3 qually.

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No times on the board. 2 cars in the gravel. Red flag. FP2 could be delayed now.
 
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this is the forecast for water park that overlooks turn 5 & 6. it looks good for us

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i was thinking with the "success" of austria. as it was a rare good news day for F1 & in their own words. people were 50/50 whether to start qualifying when they did as its was alot of finger crossed. as part of them thought no sunday. its still too wet & then today with rescheduling F3 qualifying in the wet. that either stewards, Masi or liberty have encouraged them to when its wet. to take a few more risks & get them on the track. because italy 2017 they seemed certainly alot more cautious & red flagging it very quickly in what i feel was better conditions than Stryria
 
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It's because Charlie Whiting died. He was over cautious and tentative to the point of incompetence. Michael Masi actually seems to know how to judge a situation and put on a show.
 
thats a good point on jules bianchi. cider_and_toast although I still to this day believe that was FIA toothless nature that was the main reason because they shouldve started it at 11am when we had the 4 hour window & far better visibility. instead of the darkgloom of 3pm start but actually 4pm when race started properly & sunset was 5.30pm. its like starting wet British GP at 7.20pm

but i find it extremely unlikely despite having no support races & the most powerful people in F1 like bernie & Jean Todt couldnt tell the organisors on the Friday to start the race earlier on safety grounds
 
Charlie Whiting as race director would have been involved in that conversation.

Also, the Medical Helicopter was unable to fly in those conditions resulting in Bianchi's journey to hospital taking about half an hour longer than it should have. The report said it wouldn't have made any difference but you never know.
 
The Japanese GP they started the race late to get the most crowds in but the weather was not great that weekend so why did not they start earlier? As for yesterday and any race it is important that Marshall's and medical team can get the incidents on track in a safe manner without putting themselves and driver at risk
 
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