Hungaroring, Budapest, eleventh round of the 2021 Formula 1 season. Last weekend before Formula 1 can temporarily close its doors and go on vacation. A 3-week summer break with the action that will resume in Belgium on August 27-29. But what can we expect from the Hungarian weekend? First of all, as we recently reported, the FIA has decided to postpone the introduction of the technical directive regarding pit stops until the teams return fresh and rested from the break at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. So, after having filled up with news at Silverstone, we can say that the Hungarian one will be a rather ‘quiet’ weekend. Or at least from a technical point of view.
After what happened in Austria and Great Britain, the presence of the public in the stands will also be guaranteed in Hungary albeit with some limitations due to the current regulations deriving from the coronavirus. The possibility of pit-walking is excluded for spectators and the traditional invasion of the track after the race will also be prohibited. Fans will have to attend the award ceremony, with composure, from the stands. Finally, by shifting attention to Pirelli, in Budapest the drivers will can use the C2 (Hard), C3 (Medium) and C4 (Soft) compounds. Therefore intermediate nomination among the compounds available to the tire manufacturer.
2021 Hungarian GP preview: layout
Hungaroring consists of 14 beautiful corners (8 on the right, 6 on the left) for a total length of 4.381 Km. Considered as one of the most challenging tracks both from a physical and mental point of view, it is also known as a ‘Monte Carlo without walls’ and is at the same time also considered one of the most entertaining events of the season. The circuit was opened back in 1986 and has always been included in the Formula 1 world calendar ever since. Not even the troubled season we witnessed last year was an exception.
Built in Mogyoród, a municipality located 25 km from the capital Budapest, the route is located at 238 m above sea level with a maximum height difference of about 26 m. There are four high-speed sections: the main straight line, the segment that joins turns 1 and 2, the series of turns 3-4-5 and the sequence of turns 9-10-11 that lead to the short straight ahead of turn 12. However, there are also some really slow hairpin corners, such as 1, 2 and the chicane in the second sector (6-7) where enjoying good traction will allow the drivers to make a difference on their opponents. Ultimately, a short track that certainly favors traction and mechanical grip.
2021 Hungarian GP preview: aerodynamics and DRS
Since this is a circuit characterized by an alternation of slow turns and croners to be tackled at medium-high speed, the cars will be required to have rather high aerodynamic load values as well as a good set-up from a mechanical point of view to be able to correctly use all the power in the slow sections of the Hungaroring. Showing good levels of competitiveness in the second sector will mean having found the correct balance in both respects. Being able to generate a high vertical thrust at the front and rear will help the drivers even in the very delicate and difficult braking points, especially in turns 1, 2 and 6.
You can use the DRS on the straight line to the finish line and on the subsequent extension leading to turn 2. There is only one detection point, placed at the entrance of turn 14, which will therefore allow you to use the mobile device in both areas. Being able to overtake on the main straight, therefore, will allow the car in front to immediately take a decent margin on the opponent coming out of turn 1. The rather narrow track makes overtaking rather complicated, which is why the qualifying session will be more decisive than ever. The speed delta guaranteed by the opening of the mobile wing, on the straight line that runs alongside the pit lane, will be around 13 km / h.
2021 Hungarian GP preview: power unit
The use of the endothermic engine is not particularly severe, as it will work at full capacity for only 65% of the lap time, with the hybrid part decidedly more stressed in this circumstance. The high temperatures on the track always put a strain not only on the drivers, but also on the elements present under the hood of the cars. This year, however, even if it scheduled to take place at the beginning of August, some uncertainty is expected from a meteorological point of view.
From the kinetic energy and enthalpy of the excess exhaust gases, 748 kj (MGU-K) and 2800 kj (MGU-H) can be recovered respectively, for a total of 3548 Kj. This contribution will lead to a gain of approximately two seconds per lap and an additional 23 km / h in top speed. From the calculated weight-to-power ratio we obtain that 10Cv, at the Hungaroring, correspond to a value of 0.21s per lap.
2021 Hungarian GP preview: fuel and transmission
Consumption, given the high downforce configuration adopted on the cars, is generally quite high: 105 kg is the estimated amount of fuel at the completion of the race. For this reason, some teams may also try to start with a slightly more empty tank and then recover the deficit during the Grand Prix through the use of “fuel saving” techniques, and perhaps even hoping for an entry by the Safety Car.
As for the use of the transmission, this component is not very stressed during the total length of the lap: an average of about 50 changes is expected (the Hungarian GP will be run over a total distance of 70 laps). Some more concerns, also in this case, as for the elements of the power unit, may be given by the high operating temperatures.
2021 Hungarian GP preview: braking system
According to Brembo technicians, the Hungaroring ranks among those tracks to be considered at a medium level of intensity for the brakes. In fact, on a scale of values ranging from 1 to 5, a difficulty index of 3 is achieved, the same that we will also see for the Zandvoort circuit (Netherlands, scheduled between 3 and 5 September 2021).
The Hungarian track has 11 braking points, with the system being engaged for almost 18 seconds of the total lap time (about 74 ” in qualifying), one of the highest values of the season despite being about a kilometer and a half shorter than Silverstone, where the brake discs only work for 13 ”. During the 70 laps of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the overall time of use easily exceeds 20 minutes (about 21 to be precise).
Of the 11 very different braking sections, none require a stopping distance of more than 140 meters. Only on three occasions is 100 m exceeded by claiming a pedal load of more than 90 kg. From the stop light to the finish line, each driver is required to make an overall effort of 56 tons, which together with the Monaco GP is among the highest of the season.
Moreover, among these, 3 are classified as very demanding, one is to be considered medium intensity, while the remaining 7 as light. The most important is certainly the first corner after the finish. The cars reach it at 346 km / h (215 mph) with the drivers who, exerting a force of 182 kg on the pedal for 2.58 ”, are able to slow down to 109 km / h in just 137 meters a deceleration of 5.5 g.
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