F1 News

Williams looks ahead to Hungary GP

Williams looks ahead to Hungary GP

18-07-2023 17:37 Last update: 18:50

Sam Godber

This coming weekend will see the Hungarian Grand Prix. This short circuit is known as a track where drivers drive with a lot of downforce. The Williams team is curious to see how their car performs here compared to the fast Silverstone and especially hopes that any rain only falls in the evening. In an official press release from Williams , Head of Performance Dave Robson also looks ahead to the new qualifying format that will be introduced this weekend.

After the Imola Grand Prix disappeared from the calendar due to severe weather and flooding, Hungary was designated as the race where a different qualifying format will be experimented with for the first time. "Each driver has fewer sets of tyres available than normal, and the use of specific tyre compounds is mandated in each of the three qualifying sessions. It will be interesting to see how each team chooses to use the limited supply of tyres," Robson said. Rainfall is also predicted for next weekend, something more common at the Hungaroring. "The weather is forecast to be hot with a risk of thunderstorms. We will keep an eye on this as we approach the sessions, but hopefully the rain will only fall in the evening"

Albon adjusts expectations

Drivers Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant also look ahead to the weekend. "Hungary is a great circuit and one that we all love to drive around, as it has a great flow to it. We’ve just come off the back of three strong races, however I think going into this week, we need to manage expectations slightly, as it’s not necessarily a track that should suit us," Albon indicated. For Logan Sargeant, it will be his first F1 race in Hungary. Nonetheless, the American is looking forward to the race and hopes especially to benefit from the revamped qualifying format.