Formula 1 returns to the Hungaroring (Hungary) theater from August 2 to 4, for the 12th appointment in the 2019 World Championship. The Hungarian track was one of the great intuitions of Bernie Ecclestone: he was the person who wanted to take Formula 1 to Eastern Europe countries.
The Hungarian circuit was inaugurated on March 24th 1986, and five months later it hosted the first Formula 1 GP.
Compared to the original version, a chicane has been taken out and the Turn 12 design has been changed. The record on the track belongs to Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), with a lap average speed of 207 km/h (128.6 mph).
A low average compared to the other circuits (except for Munich), which shows the extreme windingness of the track and the need to use high aerodynamic load. The main exception is represented by the first turn after the finishing line which is preceded by a 790 meter (0.49 miles) straight.
According to Brembo technicians, who classified the 21 tracks in the World Championship, the Hungaroring circuit falls into the category of circuits presenting medium difficulty for the brakes.
On a scale of 1 to 5, it earned a 3 on the difficulty index.
The demand on the brakes during the GP
So, as at Baku, brakes are used 11 times every lap; but the Azerbaigian track is 1.6 km (0.99 miles) longer.
At the Hungaroring only 3 braking areas are extended to 2 seconds and they are all concentrated in the part of the track that is visible from the main stand. Every lap the brakes are in operation for 17 and a half seconds, that is the equivalent of 23% of the length of the race. Only the Monaco GP (27%) and the Singapore GP (25%) has a higher percentage.
Average deceleration per lap is 3.1 G, the same as at Le Castellet. The presence of so many bends results in the energy dissipated in braking being very high: 239 kWh, almost two times as much as Suzuka.
From the start line to the chequered flag each rider puts a total pressure of 55.5 tons (122,357 lbs) on the brake pedal, among the highest in the World Championship 2019.
A considerable effort for riders in addition to the high temperatures in this period.
The most demanding braking sections
Of the 11 braking sections at Hungaroring, 3 are classified as demanding on the brakes, one is of medium difficulty and the remaining 7 are light. The hardest for the braking system is the first turn after the finish: the single-seaters arrive at a speed of 335 km/h (208 mph) and slow down to 107 km/h (66 mph) in just 134 meters (440 feet).
Riders exert a load of 179 kg (395 lbs) for 2.57 seconds, and undergo a deceleration of 5.4 G. The braking section at turn 12 is also very hard: speed plummets from 294 km/h (183 mph) to 123 km/h (76 mph) in only 1.97 seconds and 102 meters (335 feet). The drivers are required to apply a remarkable amount of force: 4.5 G in deceleration and 115 kg (254 lbs) load on the brake pedal.
On turns 8, 9 and 11 the brake is crucial to lose 40 km/h (25 mph) to 45 km/h (28 mph) of speed downshifting a gear: for each of these braking sections only 46 to 55 meters (151 to 180 feet) are needed and the load on the pedal is insignificant, ranging between 15 kg (33 lbs) and 20 kg (44 lbs).
Brembo performance
The single-seaters with Brembo brakes have won 16 editions of the Hungarian GP, including the 2 editions renowned for the greatest comebacks at Hungaroring: in 1989 Nigel Mansell triumphed with Ferrari starting off in 12th position, and in 2006 Jenson Button established himself as leader with Honda, even if springing from the 14th box. With Brembo brakes everything is possible, even on the Hungaroring slide.
