[Official] Round 10 - Hungarian GP

[ottostreet]

Mods, can this be merged with Frostie's thread when he makes his?
External link to the article

This weekend marks 4 years since Felipe Massa’s horrible accident in qualifying at the Hungaroring. In that 4 years, we have seen astonishing levels of loyalty from Ferrari towards Felipe, so astonishing, that it borders on the absurd. Apart from a brief couple of races at the start of 2010, and at the end of 2012, Felipe’s performances against team-mate Alonso have been remarkably poor. As we head off to the Hungaroring this weekend, Felipe’s Ferrari, and, possibly, F1 career hang in the balance yet again, on the back of some poor displays from the Brazilian.

While Felipe was ahead of Fernando at the Nurburgring, there is little to be gained from spinning out of the race at Turn 1 on Lap 4. Luca Di Montezemelo has stated that he is in no rush to confirm the Brazilian for 2014, and so the pressure is on. How different it all could have been for Felipe, had his Ferrari engine lasted just three laps longer at the Hungaroring in 2008. Leading comfortably, Massa had dominated the race, including a great move to pass Lewis Hamilton at the start. When his engine went pop with the chequered flag in sight, Felipe lost the points and ultimately the title as a result.

Such defining moments in his career have happened in Hungary, and the big question is whether Felipe can make something happen to resurrect his career yet again? Unfortunately for him, Ferrari appear to have fallen off the pace in recent races, with even Fernando struggling to score podiums. Fernando’s gamely pursued the Lotus cars and Vettel at the Nurburgring to keep them in sight, but used up almost all his fuel doing so. With the increase of race temperatures in Germany, the Lotuses came to life to be what looked like the fastest car.

There is the potential this weekend that temperatures could be the highest they have ever been at a Grand Prix. Europe has been gripped by a heatwave for the last two weeks, and forecasters are predicting an air temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. The last time this happened was at Bahrain 2005, where track temperatures also hit 56 degrees. With such high temperatures expected, as well as the revised tyre structures, which appear to have passed thrown at them at the Young Driver Test, it is difficult to see why Lotus cannot win this race.

They were very strong last year, and enjoyed a great tussle amongst themselves when Raikkonen emerged from the pits, but ultimately could not overhaul the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton, which actually didn’t self-destruct while leading, for once. McLaren are nowhere near in contention this year, so who can stop the Lotus cars having their own private duel? It’s not likely to be Mercedes, for the same temperature-related reasons. They may qualify well, but a 55 degree plus track surface is certain to send the Mercs spiralling down the field on raceday.

So what about the Red Bulls? Sebastian Vettel has never won on the tight and twisty circuit, but Webber has. The Bulls’ didn’t have great pace at last years sweltering race, and suffered with their tyres. It is very difficult to predict whether they can challenge for the win this year, but you can be sure they won’t be too far from the action. If conditions are hot on Saturday, then we could see Ferrari vs. Lotus on Sunday. Ferrari’s Achilles Heel has been their inability to get the tyres working correctly during qualifying, and thus starting further down the order than they should be. A hot qualifying should see them unlock their pace, and their usually excellent race pace should have them challenging the Lotuses.

Yet another three week gap between races is drawing to a close, but this race marks the start of the Summer break. We’re staring down the barrel of another interminable 4 week gap, meaning that there has only been one race in seven weeks. The drivers and teams are sure to enjoy the downtime, but it really does ramp up the pressure for the second half of the championship, as the races come thick and fast when action resumes in the Autumn. Let’s hope, for the sake of a tight championship, that Vettel doesn’t sign off the first half of the season with a flourish.

[Bononi]

Thanks ottostreet. Waiting for frostie's...

[Razzzor]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks Massa should be long gone from Ferrari. Narrowly outqualifying Alonso (who's never been a qualifying specialist anyway) a few times doesn't mean much to me when he drifts back fast in the races.

Another 4 week break after this is even more absurd. Not a good way to try and keep fans interested. Meanwhile Nascar has races weekly and Indycar even has two full races in two days (both Indycar double-header weekends I've really enjoyed too). Why these huge gaps? Has Bernie completely lost the plot?

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Razzzor

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks Massa should be long gone from Ferrari. Narrowly outqualifying Alonso (who's never been a qualifying specialist anyway) a few times doesn't mean much to me when he drifts back fast in the races.

Another 4 week break after this is even more absurd. Not a good way to try and keep fans interested. Meanwhile Nascar has races weekly and Indycar even has two full races in two days (both Indycar double-header weekends I've really enjoyed too). Why these huge gaps? Has Bernie completely lost the plot?

I think it's because team personnel need a rest, so that they can see family and friends...

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

I think it's because team personnel need a rest, so that they can see family and friends...

personally i have never been a fan of that answer and always thought it was more about cost savings and organizing holidays so that it a) meet min statutory holidays requirements and b) a way to make sure all the teams did it at the same time so they didnt have to worry that the others were still developing while they were at home with the wife and kids.

getting time at home with the family and recharging of the batteries is just a bonus imo.

so i do agree with Razzzor though. the break is excessive. sure people deserve to have time with their families but they also have a choice to pick a profession that allows for that. most people i know have to make do with less then 3 weeks a year and almost are never allowed to take it all at the same time.

[pauln]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

sure people deserve to have time with their families but they also have a choice to pick a profession that allows for that. most people i know have to make do with less then 3 weeks a year and almost are never allowed to take it all at the same time.

Most people though aren't in jobs requiring them to be away from home for over half the year (20 odd race weekends, plus testing) and not even able to see families in the evenings/at weekends.

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by Razzzor

Another 4 week break after this is even more absurd. Not a good way to try and keep fans interested. Meanwhile Nascar has races weekly and Indycar even has two full races in two days (both Indycar double-header weekends I've really enjoyed too). Why these huge gaps? Has Bernie completely lost the plot?

Poor Bernie, blamed for all the things under the sun...

[Raspberry]

Originally Posted by Bononi

Poor Bernie, blamed for all the things under the sun...

#Berniesfault

[Beetle]

Yes, contrary to public opinion, racecar drivers do have lives!

[ljakse]

Originally Posted by Beetle

Yes, contrary to public opinion, racecar drivers do have lives!

I believe it's more about other team members' lives than racers'

[bella]

the break does indeed apply to everyone in the team, that includes the guys in the windtunnels who work shifts, and the people in the offices who don't.

bear in mind that it's most likely to be compulsory leave to be deducted from their annual allowance rather than additional leave. once you factor in christmas, which usually has a couple of days shutdown (again, deducted from annual holiday allowances) it doesn't really allow much flexibility.

you try and take your holiday when you're obligated to be at a circuit for 5-7 days at a time, 19-23 times a year. you can't just get someone to cover for you like in a normal job, it's very difficult to fit it in!

interestingly, many uk and international series have taken f1's cue and have a 4-8 week layoff in the middle of summer.

[F1Pete]

Hmmmm....if I were to do it all over again with a career choice and having a summer break what would it be...a teacher or F1 driver??

[Razzzor]

Well I just think if the 4 weeks break is for the teams to take a holiday, then do it at xmas or somewhere in the off season where there's no racing for 4 whole months.

We've already had THREE, three week breaks between races, now we're getting a four week break. What was the point of those 3 week breaks if everyone was still working flat out.

It's probably more the hardcore fans like us that get more impatient, seems like such a lot of waiting with these 3-4wk breaks, whereas the casual fan just forgets about F1 till race weekend.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Well Bernie has totally screwed over the F1 calendars in recent years with races 1 week apart in nearby countries and then suddenly 3 weeks. Why not just keep it even with 2, like in the 'old days' (which I never saw lol)?

The reason for there being the 3 week gap this year is because the original race on July 14th (remember? The one replacing Valencia) never actually existed, because so many countries (Portugal with the Algarve, Istanbul Park - even if the government said no, Austria with the Red Bull Ring, France with Paul Ricard) really wanted that slot so in the end the FIA just didn't give it to anyone, hence the 3 week break.

PS I'm new here, what goes on?

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Bernie isn't perfect and is clearly a shadow of his prime days and lately it can be argued recently he's done more harm than good.


However, who's to say his replacement won't be even worse? At least Bernie clearly has some passion for the sport which can't be denied, even if it comes second to making money. I'll always respect what Bernie did for the sport 500 years ago or whenever it was, and I have to admit I will probably miss him.

[Adam43]

Welcome to ten-tenths

[Marbot]

Todt collaborates with Ecclestone on board the Death Star. *cue death star theme*

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/109007

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by Marbot

Todt collaborates with Ecclestone on board the Death Star. *cue death star theme*

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/109007

I think we've all seen that. The big question is: Will it work?

("The only outfit that does not have a commercial deal in place (one that fits the new agreement) is Marussia" - Autosport)

[bjohnsonsmith]

Thanks for the intro ottostreet. I always like to read the background on a race as there can always be some detail that's been forgotten,

[bjohnsonsmith]

So Lulu's on pole, Finger Boy's second with Fat John and Nico 3rd and 4th, followed by Alonso and Kimi; should be an interesting start.

[jsTrecu]

Impressed with Grosjean today, he was great. Ricciardo too.

It seemed like an easy pole for Vettel but Mercedes after are always there even if they are playing the underdog lately. If Lewis can keep Vettel behind into the first corner it can be an interesting race, otherwise the RedBull will escape, Vettel and Webber showed a very good race pace yesterday.

[IceMan_PJN]

Originally Posted by jsTrecu

If Lewis can keep Vettel behind into the first corner it can be an interesting race...

That's what I'm hoping for, but I'm afraid Lewis will get a slightly poorer start than the guys around him and fall back a few positions straight away while Vettel takes a lead that he doesn't relinquish.

[Adam43]

There is the Hungaroring dirty side of the grid issue which may help Hamilton.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by IceMan_PJN

That's what I'm hoping for, but I'm afraid Lewis will get a slightly poorer start than the guys around him and fall back a few positions straight away while Vettel takes a lead that he doesn't relinquish.

Lewis, Vettel and RoGro into the first corner together off the start .... interesting times!

[321Go]

Thought it was funny that Vettel knew of Webber having a KERS issue, AND a gearbox issue as well, immediately after quali. Not aware of Mark having a gearbox issue. Nothing mentioned during the telecast, any of the post race interviews, or any reports anywhere about a Webber gearbox issue.

Or does Vettel know something we don't???