GP3 Budapest Preview
 |
| Written by: Fanni Váradi | Photo: GP3 Media |
The GP3 Season of 2017 comes to its fourth round of the year, which takes place in Hungary this weekend. All the teams and drivers know the technical track quite well as they already had a 2 days long test at the Hungaroring this June. Drivers will need all their previous experience and knowledge of the circuit as it is known how difficult overtaking is in racing conditions.
New driver
The biggest new just before the round arrived a day ago. Santino Ferruci HAAS F1 Team’s development driver started the season behind the wheel of DAMS’ GP3 car but stepped up to FIA Formula 2 this weekend joining Trident team. Matthieu Vaxiviére will replace the American driver in GP3 making the first driver swap of the race just before the traditional mid-season break.
Tyres
Pirelli selected medium compound for GP3 as although the speed is relatively low, the Hungaroring works the tyres hard throughout the lap said Mario Isola Pirelli’s head of racing, who added how important tyre management will be for the drivers and will bring some more excitements on the races.
Championship
There were 5 winners in the season so far namely, Fukuzumi, Maini, Russell who won twice, Hyman and Alesi. George Russel delighted his fans 2 weeks ago with a home victory and Silverstone. With this achievement, the Briton took the leadership with 92 points ahead of Hubert who is second with 57 points followed by a thigh 54 points belongs to Fukuzumi. The Mercedes junior steps into the weekend with big hopes as showed a great performance with topping session on the test in Budapest last month.
ART Grand Prix tops teams’ standings with 241 points with a gap of 150 points before Trident.
The schedule for this weekend (all time in GMT +2)
Friday:
Free Practice 17.50-18.35
Free Practice 17.50-18.35
Saturday:
Qualifying session 09.45-10.15
Feature Race 17.35 (22 laps)
Qualifying session 09.45-10.15
Feature Race 17.35 (22 laps)
Sunday:
Sprint race 09.10 (17 laps)
Sprint race 09.10 (17 laps)
For more information check GP3 series’ official page www.gp3series.com