GP2 heads to Hungaroring for 2010 Hungarian GP27/07/2010

Soft tyre to be used in Hungary

Budapest will provide the backdrop for the seventh round of the Bridgestone-supported GP2 Series, to be held at the Hungarian Grand Prix on 30 July – 1 August. Bridgestone’s soft specification dry tyre will be in use at this technical venue.

The  Hungaroring  is  the  second  shortest  circuit  on  the  2010  GP2  calendar  at  4.381  km and is a relatively slow track, the teams requiring high traction in the numerous low speed corners. It is a unique circuit which includes  some  similar  challenges  to  Monaco’s  street  course,  whilst  still  being  a  purpose  built  venue.  The track is narrow making it difficult to overtake here, and car balance and mechanical grip is key.  

Bridgestone’s soft compound Potenza racing slicks are well suited to the track characteristics, although the possible high temperatures create a challenge in terms of tyre usage and degradation.   

The 2009 GP2 Series champion Nico Hulkenberg and Giedo van der Garde both won races in Budapest last season on Bridgestone’s soft compound GP2 dry tyre.

 

Good qualifying is essential at the Hungaroring

“With limited overtaking opportunities at the Hungaroring it is essential for drivers to perform well in qualifying and to gain on-track advantages through good tyre management. Turn one provides the best chance for overtaking, with another potential passing point being at turn two. If a driver makes a mistake in the final complex, which is a difficult part of the track to master, then they could lose a position on the start finish straight. Last year our soft compound GP2 dry tyre performed well at Budapest with the drivers experiencing reasonable tyre wear and degradation.”
Hirohide Hamashima - Director of Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development

Stats & Facts
Number & Spec of tyres for Budapest: 704 (soft and wet)
Pole position time 2009: 1m 27.867s – L di Grassi, Racing Engineering
Fastest race lap 2009:   1m 29.788s – L Filippi, Super Nova Racing (R2)
Top three 2009 race 1: N Hulkenberg (ART), L di Grassi (Racing Engineering), J Villa (Super Nova)
Top three 2009 race 2: G van der Garde (iSport), L Filippi (Super Nova), L di Grassi (Racing Engineering)