2024 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix Preview: More Upgrades on the Way
The Hungarian Grand Prix, the 13th race of the 2024 season, will be held this weekend. [The race will take place at the Hungaroring, a 2.7-mile circuit near the capital Budapest. Nine of the ten teams on the grid will be using new parts, with McLaren the only team yet to announce any changes to its car.
The Hungaroring is characterized by a twisty, undulating layout, mostly consisting of mid- and low-speed corners. As a result, top speeds reach 192 mph, and Monaco is the only circuit slower than this.
Because of the low speeds, there is more reliance on mechanical grip than downforce, making tire management particularly important. Pirelli has nominated the softest compounds, C3, C4, and C5. The slower speeds also make it harder for the power units to cool down, and Hungary is known for its high temperatures at this time of year. The current forecast calls for temperatures near 90 degrees Fahrenheit for Sunday's race.
Overtaking will be difficult and likely to be successful at the end of the main straight in the first sector. Here the cars will brake and enter a downhill right-hand corner, followed by two more consecutive corners.
Most teams used new parts. Aston Martin and Sauber plan the most changes, with seven and nine, respectively. Even the dominant Red Bull Racing plans several new parts, including a combination of circuit-specific changes to improve cooling performance and a new wing.
Ahead of Saturday's qualifying session and Sunday's race, Red Bull's Max Verstappen leads the 2024 drivers' championship with 255 points. McLaren's Lando Norris is second with 171 points and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is third with 150 points. Red Bull leads the Constructors' Championship with 373 points. Ferrari is second with 302 points and McLaren is third with 295 points.
Prior to the weekend, Haas announced that Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman will replace current driver Nico Hulkenberg in 2025. Hulkenberg announced in April that he will drive for Sauber in 2025 and will remain with the team when it becomes a factory team for Audi in 2026. Haas also announced the departure of Kevin Magnussen after the 2024 season. His replacement has not yet been announced, but is rumored to be Esteban Ocon, who will leave Alpine at the end of this season.
