“We had a productive test in
Jerez,” the 22-year-old stated. “I was there for a day and spent the time focusing on set-up and development work for Hungary, in the hot and dusty conditions. Following a mistake on my out lap in qualifying, I started at the back of the grid in GP2 here last year. It was not a great start to the weekend, but I managed to work my way back up through the field, which was a good learning experience of the track, how to drive it and where it is possible to pass, which is notoriously difficult.
“I quite like the circuit; it is quite quick considering how tight it is. It is a real classic as well. You have gradient changes, some high and low-speed corners and a good chicane up the back. There is one bump right at the back, which is so easy to catch you out; that’s what happened to me in qualifying last year. We have as good a chance as anyone in the race. We have a great car and it is important that I go with a clear mind and the same approach as normal, but there is no reason why we can’t go there and win.”
McLaren has tasted victory champagne at the Hungaroring on no fewer than six occasions – almost a one in three success rate – courtesy of Raikkonen, Mika Hakkinen and
Ayrton Senna, and Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President Norbert Haug is confident of adding to those laurels in the race’s 22nd edition.
“The Budapest circuit’s characteristics are totally different from those at the recent grand prix at the Nürburgring,” the German remarked. “With an average speed per lap of almost 200km/h the track is the second slowest after Monaco. Traction and precise positioning at the entrances of the corners represent the crucial key; there are no extremely fast corners.
“Also because of the high amount of abrasion, there is only one possible line in the race what makes a top result in qualifying even more important. In the rain, however, the circuit can generate surprises; the race last August was a highlight of the season. Our target for Hungary is clear – if possible, we want to extend our leads in both world championships.”
Renault – Giancarlo Fisichella (#3), Heikki Kovalainen (#4):
Following a series of disappointing outings at Magny-Cours,
Silverstone and the Nürburgring – with just seven points to show for all its efforts in contrast to key rival BMW-Sauber’s 22 – the French outfit is now bidding to fight back with a vengeance in Hungary, and confident its lacklustre recent showings have merely been a ‘blip’.
