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29 Jul 2012Budapest, Hungaroring
Turn 5: a long uphill right-hander. Very tricky from apex to exit due to a couple of significant bumps and the track falls away at the exit, which induces oversteer.
Turn 8: a really important corner, which sets you up for the section that brings you back towards the pits and the paddock. It’s narrow and fourth gear, so accuracy is vital.
Turn 14 (last corner): a very challenging corner from apex-to-exit because it’s bumpy.
| 2011 winner | Jenson Button |
| Mark’s place | 5th |
| Race date | 29 Jul 2012 |
| Circuit name | Hungaroring |
| No. of laps | 70 |
| Circuit length | 4.381 km |
| Race distance | 306.630 km |
| Lap record | 1:19.071 – M Schumacher (2004) |
The Hungaroring is a short lap and it’s as busy as hell. The track’s always coming at you, so it’s a pretty physical afternoon. It’s like Monaco without the walls.
Grip levels change quite a bit over the weekend, so the driver needs to be on his game. The asphalt is very slippery to begin with, but it rubbers in over the weekend and lap times improve by three or four seconds. To be quick you need a car with sensational downforce, which we had last year with the RB6.
You have to grab the car by the horns because the track is very bumpy in places. You leave the deck a few times, so you’ve got to be comfortable with the car moving around underneath you, otherwise you're in trouble. You’re also better on the clean side of the grid because this is one of the worst dirty sides of the year. Odd numbers are beneficial.
There is always a good crowd at this venue. Thanks to Robert [Kubica] there are a lot of Poles in the grandstands; it’s like a home race for him. We're all going to miss him this year.
Adding to the allure of this race is Budapest. Everyone stays in the city, which, in many ways the city feels like a mini, less chaotic Istanbul. It’s old, has lots of culture and some great food. Good looking people too.
AS A MATTER OF FACT…
- Mark’s first points’ finish at the Hungaroring came in 2003, when he finished sixth for Jaguar.
- Mark’s finished on the podium for the last two years. In 2009 he came third; in 2010 he won the race ahead of Fernando Alonso and team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
- The Hungaroring is the only racetrack in the world to have a water park within its confines. Many GP2 drivers have been spotted on the slides, but Mark has yet to don his swimming trunks. Perhaps this year?
- Zsolt Baumgartner, a former rival of Mark’s in Formula 3000, is the only Hungarian to have raced in Formula One. He drove for Jordan in 2003 and Minardi in ’04.
Comments
Gyurkó Balázs
POSTED July 26th, 2011
Hi Mark
Last year it was a dream come true to get to see live a F1 race and it was special also, because you have won. I keep my fingers crossed for you, and hope You’ll cash your first win of the season, and get the second on the Hungaroring. Best wishes.
Mike Fitzgibbon
POSTED July 26th, 2011
Go Get em Mark!
You make us all proud. Whether you come 1st or not, you are always a winner! Good Luck & take that chequered flag!
Dmitry
POSTED July 27th, 2011
Good luck, Mark!
From Russia
Cheryl Lees
POSTED July 27th, 2011
Good luck for Hungary. Looking forward to celebrating when you do win.
Beáta Bakos
POSTED July 27th, 2011
Hi Mark!
I wish you all the best for this weekend here in my home country. I hope we can see you on the very top of the podium Sunday afternoon. You are such a great person and a hardworking, talented driver! You deserve to be the winner. Good luck!
Lara
POSTED July 27th, 2011
Hello Mark
I wish you to win in Hungary. You’re the best and you will win !!! Good luck
From Russia
Mariella
POSTED July 28th, 2011
Best wishes this weekend!!!!!!!
iain
POSTED July 28th, 2011
Hi Mark,
You are best and will win – I agree with this!
In bocca al lupo,
Iain
Silvia
POSTED July 28th, 2011
Hi Mark, like each weekend you are racing I hang on my TV. This weekend as well, and this weekend is yours. Good bless you! Good luck and take care.
Josh
POSTED July 28th, 2011
Hope to see you on pole and a winner in Hungary
Andrew
POSTED July 29th, 2011
Good luck mate. Make sure you kick on at the Rudas Baths afterwards with the trophy!
Ana
POSTED July 29th, 2011
Great to see you and Fernando last weekend! Very funny!
Good luck!!!!
Aidan
POSTED July 29th, 2011
Hey Mark Good luck!!#2 From AUSTRALIA
Earl (Texas)
POSTED July 30th, 2011
Best of Luck this weekend.
Hairy
POSTED July 31st, 2011
Now is the time! Pick them off one by one to the flag ..
Andrew
POSTED August 02nd, 2011
Unlucky Mark, i don’t know but you seem to be the teams test pig. It wouldn’t surprise me if they forced you to go on inters just to see if it’s worth Vettel to do the same.
I’m really sick and tired of the politics in RB and especially F1 itself. Something has to be done about it, drivers really need to stand up for themselves and their rights as drivers. F1 has rules, drivers are scared to speak because of team orders. Teams have 2 drivers, if potentially both drivers have the skill to win the championship why wouldn’t they back both drivers up? they then have double the chance of winning. They need to stop the politics and stupidity and go back to the good old days of what “car racing” actually means. I hope you don’t sign another contract with these clowns, go somewhere you will be treated better. Montoya spoke his mind, the team hated it. So he went to Nascar racing were driving in circles is apparently amusing, such a wasted talent. F1 will be losing more talents if they don’t pick up the game.
They have lost Kimi, Montoya, Ralf and Mika (retired my a$$) and I could see more going.
A lot has changed in F1, and the majority of it isn’t really for the better. The sooner they realise it the better.
Oh and excuses for reducing engine capacity… they are getting to fast so we have to make them slower. get f%#@ed, bring back the turbo cars with 1500HP+!!
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Hello Mark,
Don’t worry, on the Hungaroring you’ll be the winner!
Best,
Jani from Hungary