Formula 1 returns this weekend with the Hungarian Grand Prix, the 12th event of the 2023 F1 season, which will take place, as usual, at the Hungaroring circuit.
In Budapest, Pirelli, the exclusive tire supplier of the World Championship, will bring the following compounds:
Pirelli PZero White Hard C3
Pirelli PZero Yellow Medium C4
Pirelli PZero Red Soft C5
This is the least conservative choice possible, as these three compounds are the softest in the range offered for 2023 by the Italian tire manufacturer. This range, we recall, goes from C0 – the hardest compound – to C5, the softest.
Tires on the track
The Alternative Tyre Allocation (ATA) will debut in Budapest, which involves the mandatory use of one slick compound for each qualifying session. In Q1, teams must use the Hard compound, in Q2 the Medium compound, and in Q3 the Soft compound. In case the session is declared wet, the obligation is waived, and teams can use the compound of their choice.
With the ATA, the number of available sets for each car is reduced to 11, instead of the 13 in a typical race weekend. Each driver will have three sets of Hard, four sets of Medium, and four sets of Soft. The number of wet tires remains unchanged: three sets of Full Wet and four sets of Intermediate, excluding the use of an additional set of Intermediates in case of rain on Friday or adverse weather forecasts for Saturday.
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On Friday, one set of tires must be returned at the end of each free practice session. Two more sets must be returned on Saturday after FP3. This leaves seven sets of tires for qualifying and the race, of which at least one set of Hard and one set of Medium must be retained for the Grand Prix.
The ATA was supposed to be tested for the first time during the Made in Italy and Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. A second test, after the Hungaroring, will be conducted at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on the first weekend of September.
In Hungary, high ambient and track temperatures could be recorded. The race at the end of July and the location of the circuit in a natural amphitheater that hinders air circulation make the Budapest round challenging for tire thermal management and the fatigue of the drivers themselves.
Usually, the most common strategy at the Hungaroring is based on two pit stops, while a one-stop strategy is rarer. The choices made in 2022 were heavily influenced by a VSC (Virtual Safety Car) and a safety car. Almost all drivers made three pit stops, using all available tire compounds. At the start, half of the grid began the race on Soft tires, and the other half on Medium, then switching to Hard tires for the second or third stint.
Hungarian Grand Prix: Mario Isola’s comments
Mario Isola, Head of F1 and Car Racing at Pirelli: “The Hungarian Grand Prix has become a classic event in the Formula 1 summer season, and as such, it is known for high air and track temperatures. This puts a strain on the drivers, cars, and tires, especially because the twisty nature of the circuit doesn’t allow for much respite. There is only one relatively long straight – the pit straight – which also provides the only real overtaking opportunity at the braking zone of the first right-hand corner.”
“Then there is a sequence of thirteen other corners, seven right-handers and six left-handers, making it the second slowest circuit in terms of average speed, second only to Monte Carlo. The cars typically run with a similar level of aerodynamic downforce as the Monaco Grand Prix.”
“With many slow corners to navigate, traction is one of the crucial factors for good performance, and the biggest risk is tire overheating. Despite being a permanent track, the Hungaroring is not heavily used, and the track conditions improve considerably over the weekend as the racing line rubbers in.”
“Usually, this race heavily relies on strategies and tire degradation. This year, we have chosen to bring a softer trio of compounds (C3, C4, and C5) compared to 2022, and a new tire allocation format for qualifying (ATA, Alternative Tyre Allocation) will be experimented for the first time, requiring the mandatory use of Hard tires in Q1, Medium in Q2, and Soft in Q3 in dry conditions.”
“Both of these novelties can, at least on paper, offer a wider range of options in terms of strategy. The ATA also allows for saving two sets of dry tires compared to the traditional format (eleven instead of thirteen), and it will be tested again at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Then the FIA, Formula 1, and the teams will decide if it will be adopted for the next season, if necessary.” – Mario Isola explained.
Minimum starting pressures (slick tires)
Front: 22.0 psi
Rear: 19.0 psi
Maximum camber
Front: -3.50°
Rear: -2.00°
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