Hungarian Grand Prix Preview
Spa-Francorchamps • Liege • Belgium
by Toby Waller
England
Hungarian Grand Prix Preview
Spa-Francorchamps • Liege • Belgium
by Toby Waller
England
Circuit Length: 4.333 miles / 6.947km
Race Length: 44 laps (190.671 miles / 306.856km)
Four races to go and forty points up for grabs - it definitely looks like going all the way. Jean Alesi and Michael Schumacher both dropped out of the title chase at Hungaroring last weekend, leaving Williams team-mates Jacques Villeneuve and Damon Hill to fight out the drivers' championship between themselves. At the beginning of the year, many people - myself included - were remarkably impressed with the turn of speed that Jacques Villeneuve was able to instantly put out at Melbourne. Many, though, questioned his ability to perform as well on circuits that were unknown to him. Over the season he has answered that question, and his superb domination at Hungary finally answered the queries of his critics. In fact, Damon Hill's superb race, exit from the grid excepted, was totally outshone by Villeneuve's victory. If Hill can get his starts right, these last four races could be the most exciting of the season.
Lap Guide
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit that winds its way through the Ardennes countryside is undoubtedly the most challenging circuit on the current Grand Prix calendar. As the field crosses the start/finish line, the drivers brake hard before changing down to first for the tight La Source hairpin. The track is doubly wide on the exit, so expect to see a wide variety of lines in an attempt to gain extra speed on an opponent before the run in to the fearsome Eau Rouge. Driving steeply down hill, past the old pit lane that is currently used for support races, the track twists left, hard right and uphill, then left again. Taken with only a slight lift, Eau Rouge is the key for the entire lap. If taken fast enough, the opportunity exists to outdrag an opponent along the Kemmel straight into the Les Combes chicane. A tight hairpin, Malemedy, and nearly flat left hander, Rivage, lead the drivers into the fast Pouhon double apex left hander. A brief straight, and the drivers follow the road right into the fast Les Fagnes chicane. No time to relax, as there is only another short straight before the next corner, the tough right hand Stavelot. The third gear corner leads onto the main straight, so drivers slide their car wide in a desperate attempt to get their speed up. The straight is, in fact, a series of left hand, flat-out kinks - the toughest being the particularly tight Blanchimont. A pair of fast chicanes - the Bus stop sequence - slow the cars down slightly before they return to the pit straight and start another lap of the challenging circuit.
What Happened Last Year?
An unexpected shower during last year's qualifying set the scene for what turned out to be the most intriguing and dramatic race of the season. Friday qualifying had been rained out, and all the teams were looking forward to a dry Saturday. As the session started the rain began to fall again, and many drivers found themselves stuck in the pits at precisely the wrong time. The handful that had been able to get out before the rain started to set competitive times that wouldn't be matched for the remainder of the session. With Gerhard Berger, Jean Alesi, Mika Hakkinen and Johnny Herbert occupying the front four spots, you had to look down to eighth for Damon Hill and sixteenth for Michael Schumacher. The two championship contenders were both desperate for wins, and the scene was set for a battle royal. By lap eleven, Alesi and Hakkinen had retired and Herbert had spun off while battling for the lead with David Coulthard. The Scot was leading Hill by 5s and Schumacher by 23s before he retired with gearbox failure. Then the rain came. Schumacher, making a Senna like gamble, stayed out on slicks as Hill pitted for wets. In less than half the race distance, Schumacher had made up the sixteen places and was now leading - albeit uncomfortably. On lap twenty-two, the Williams of Hill - with its improved grip, courtesy of the wet tyres - was all over the back of the Benetton. The pair collided briefly at Les Combes before Hill took the lead next time round. Then Hill slid wide at Stavelot and Schumacher retook the lead as the track began to dry. Hill had to pit for slicks, and rejoined 30s behind the German - it was all over, we thought. Incredibly the rain started to pour down again, and the safety car emerged. Both drivers pitted for wets, rejoining still in the lead but behind the safety car - the slow laps allowing Hill to close the gap to Schumacher. Off they went again, but Hill was called into the pits for a speeding infringement that destroyed any chance of victory. With only fifteen points between the pair, it was looking like being a close end to the season - sound familiar?
1995 Results 1. Michael Schumacher Benetton-Renault 1h36m47.875s 2. Damon Hill Williams-Renault + 19.943s 3. Martin Brundle Ligier-Mugen Honda + 24.998s 4. HH Frentzen Sauber-Ford + 26.972s 5. Mark Blundell McLaren-Mercedes + 33.772s 6. Rubens Barrichello Jordan-Peugeot + 36.794s Pole Position Gerhard Berger Ferrari 1m54.392s Fastest Lap David Coulthard Williams-Renault 1m53.412s |
Benetton-Renault
Hungary was a bit disheartening for the Enstone team, but the problem was the usual - high downforce conditions. Aerodynamic problems continue to persist, but the Spa circuit should suit the team if Hockenheim form is anything to go by. The second Renault failure in as many races for Gerhard Berger can have done nothing to ease his frustrations. Still rumours about driver changes persist - this time, Hakkinen in, Alesi out to Jordan. With Alesi finishing on the podium regularly nowadays, he is a prime target for any of the top teams. I predict that Benetton will be fighting the Williams closely for pole and race honours this weekend.
Williams-Renault
The pair both performed brilliantly last weekend, guaranteeing the Williams team the constructors' cup once again. At Spa expect the team to be at the front again. Despite the competitiveness of the car and the exciting duel between the drivers for the championship, the main gossip surrounds the location of Hill's backside for next year - latest gossip has him at McLaren, Jordan, Benetton and even possibly Stewart. Testing last week at Spain may have solved the Hill's start problems. If so, the battle for the lead will probably be between the Englishman and Villeneuve. The Canadian answered his critics at Hungary by qualifying and racing well at another unknown circuit - the Hungaroring being particularly difficult to learn. With only Spa being new to the Canadian, the final four races will be exceptionally close.
McLaren-Mercedes
Enjoy the sight of the red and white McLarens this weekend, because it may be one of the last times you see them like that. Popular rumour says that Marlboro and McLaren have parted company and that the cars will be sponsored by West next year - possibly even with a silver scheme courtesy of Mercedes. It's still all rumour, though, so who knows. What is certain, though, is that the McLaren team will probably leap a few more places up the grid this weekend. Although handling is important at Spa, power is equally desirable and Mercedes provide one of the most powerful engines in the business. Also, expect new low drag front wishbones on the car. With a bit of luck, the team will be fighting for the podium places again. Expect a certain Mr. Schumacher (Ralf of that ilk) to be loitering around the McLaren motorhome. He put in some fairly impressive times at a Silverstone test, and is pestering Ron Dennis for a test or race drive next season. Two Schumachers in F1, both with similar helmet designs - Murray Walker's ultimate nightmare!
Ligier-Mugen Honda
An average weekend for the French marque, as rumours persist of a French national team - led by Alain Prost - being shaped around them. Olivier Panis finished well, but qualifying for the pair was disappointing. Pedro Diniz ruined his usually impeccable image by colliding with Mika Salo at the first corner. With the powerful Mugen engines behind them, they should fair better at Spa.
Jordan-Peugeot
Jordan continued their sad slide towards the back of the grid at Hungary, but may fair better at Spa if the Peugeot engine can continue to put out impressive levels of horsepower. Having said that, though, the team were expected to do well at Hockenheim and they didn't. A change in fortune is well deserved by the team - no matter how promising they look at the start of the season, they always struggle at the end. With neither Martin Brundle or Jean Alesi looking to figure strongly in the team's plans for next year, the main question in the paddock is who will be driving the cars next year- Alesi, Frentzen, Hill or Hakkinen. Possibly even the younger Schumacher brother.
Sauber-Ford
Using a new evolution Ford engine to good effect, the pairing of Heinz Harald Frentzen and Johnny Herbert had their best qualifying session for a long time. The units failed in the race, though, but the team had figured fairly strongly in the initial running. It's a shame, therefore, that the team will lose the unit next year, as they have finally managed to look impressive again. If Frentzen also packs his bags, then the team's future looks uncertain. They'll probably be back in the midfield this weekend, though, as the Ford engine isn't exactly renowned for its oomph.
Footwork-Hart
Another team that fails to live up to their promise. After being taken over by Tom Walkinshaw, the team were expected to improve. They seem to be on the same slippery slope as Jordan though. With Jos Verstappen's similarly tarnished image continuing, the team may struggle this weekend. The team blame lack of knowledge with the car - the TWR engineers didn't design it, remember - and when they (eventually) find the cause of the perpetual understeer, they might make up a few places on the grid.
Tyrrell-Yamaha
Running a conventional front suspension for once, the tables turned within the team once again - Ukyo Katayama outqualifying and outracing team-mate Mika Salo once again. The team are now threatening Jordan on the grid, but still lack race pace and reliability. With Salo being resigned for a third year, and Yamaha expected to continue for a further year with the English team the future looks fairly secure.
Minardi-Ford
At the back again in Hungary, they'll probably be bringing up the rear of the field in Belgium - unless Forti make a phoenix-like return from the flames of financial problems. Gianni Lavaggi continues to impress, and Pedro Lamy continues to persist with the slow car. With Forti's efforts failing to impress the sponsors, and more importantly their cash, how soon before Minardi fall the way of their fellow Italians?