2009 DATA:
Length:
4.381 km |
No of Laps:
70 (306.458 Km) |
Pole Position:
F. Alonso - 1:21.569 min (Renault) |
Lap Record :
M. Schumacher - 1:19.071 (Ferrari) |
Fastest Lap:
M. Webber- 1:21.931 min (Red Bull Racing) |
2009 Top 8:
1. L. Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes)
2. K. Räikkönen (Ferrari)
3. M. Webber (Red Bull)
4. N. Rosberg (Williams)
5. H. Kovalainen (McLaren Mercedes)
6. T. Glock (Toyota)
7. J. Button (Brawn GP)
8. J. Trulli (Toyota) |
Hungarian GP Facts:
| Full throttle ratio |
58% |
| Top speed race |
291 km/h |
| Longest flat-out section |
11 sec / 750m |
| Right-/left-hand turns |
8/6 |
| Tyre wear |
medium / high |
| Brake wear |
high |
| Downforce level |
very high |
| Gearshifts per lap |
50 |
Circuit Review: Hungaroring
Although Hungary had hosted a grand prix as early as the 1930s, the onset of the second world war and the Cold War meant that the country would not see the return of motorsport until the 1960s.
By the 1980s, the desire to hold a Grand Prix behind the iron curtain had emerged when negotiations with the Soviet Union began in earnest with the intention of a race in Moscow. In 1983 the attention swayed toward Budapest in Hungary instead when the country’s national sporting authority doubled their efforts to reinstate the country’s position in international motorsports.
Though the original propositions included a street circuit for Budapest, it eventually gave way to the construction of a brand new circuit in a valley just outside of Budapest.
Construction began for the Hungaroring in 1985. A year later, the circuit opened its doors hosting its first Formula One race behind the Iron Curtain in August that same year, boasting a successful turnout of almost 200,000 spectators.
The tight and twisty circuit has come to develop a reputation for hosting some of the greatest races. The most memorable of these include Thierry Boutsen’s win in 1990 pipping the great Ayrton Senna and Damon Hill’s battle in an Arrows with Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari which saw the latter falter on the last lap from a mechanical failure denying him the victory in 1997.
The Hungaroring borders the small village of Mogyorod and lies just over 22km north-east of Budapest. It is accessible by road in the direction of Miskolc and by train from the Hungarian capital.
Review of the Hungarian Grand Prix:
After Monaco, the Hungaroring has the lowest average speed of any circuit. One corner follows quickly after another and the start/finish straight is relatively short. Plus, no sooner is the sand cleared from the track one day than it is back again the next, and grip is consequently in short supply. Understeer is therefore a constant threat. As far as the car set-up is concerned, particular attention must be paid to the middle section with its variety of corner combinations. Another factor to consider is that the rear tyres are under heavy loads throughout the race.
PAST WINNERS:
| Year |
Driver |
Year |
Driver |
| 2008 |
H. Kovalainen (McLaren) |
|
|
| 2007 |
L. Hamilton (McLaren) |
1997 |
J. Villeneuve (Williams) |
| 2006 |
J. Button (Honda) |
1996 |
J. Villeneuve (Williams) |
| 2005 |
K. Räikkönen (McLaren) |
1995 |
D. Hill (Williams) |
| 2004 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1994 |
M. Schumacher (Benetton) |
| 2003 |
F. Alonso (Renault) |
1993 |
D. Hill (Williams) |
| 2002 |
R. Barrichello (Ferrari) |
1992 |
A. Senna (McLaren) |
| 2001 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1991 |
A. Senna (McLaren) |
| 2000 |
M. Hakkinen (McLaren) |
1990 |
T. Boutsen (Williams) |
| 1999 |
M. Hakkinen (McLaren) |
1989 |
N. Mansell (Ferrari) |
| 1998 |
M. Schumacher (Ferrari) |
1988 |
A. Senna (McLaren) |