Hungaroring with Diego Menchaca
 |
| Written by | Photo: Fanni Váradi |
Hungaroring is the place where the last round of GP3, Formula 2 and Formula One takes place just right before the summer break. The track is said to be very demanding but how is it actually from driver point of view? We talked to Diego Menchaca, GP3’s Mexican rookie about the Hungarian circuit.
The 4381 meters long track is one of the oldest tracks in the GP3 calendar. Events like Formula One take place since 1986 but for Diego Menchaca this was the first time to drive on the Hungarian asphalt. “I have never been here before. From what I have seen it seems to be a good track. I really like it” said Diego on Thursday.
The race track consists 14 turns. The first turn to right comes after a 789-meters long straight. “This is one of the longest straights we have until the first turn during the year. This makes the start crucial on a race” started to analyze the track.
“The first two corners are very close to each other. It is a good part for racing.” Following a high-speed third corner the track begins to rise arriving at the second sector with Turn 4 causing some difficulties for the drivers to see what comes next. “Sector two is very flowing which is pretty amazing. As you reach Turn 4 you are really dependent on your eyes. If there is a car in front of you it is difficult to follow the track.” The track’s heart is the chicane of Turn 6 and 7 one of the most enjoyable parts of the Hungaroring. “The walls on this track are close which makes it even nicer. You have everything here. There are hard breaking points. Two really high-speed corners which are also high risked. It is very nice.”
“There are not really good overtaking points here which makes the start more critical as it is more difficult to gain positions after” started Diego about the right race strategy on this track.
GP3 Series’ field was using Pirelli’s soft compound tyres for the first time at the Hungaroring. Besides the hot weather, quickly changing conditions, degradation and tyre behavior is one of the biggest problems on this track. “We have done some homework. The new tyres make the weekend a bit more complicated” said Diego. As several times seen on even Formula One events, right tyre management can mean victory on the Hungarian circuit. “Taking care of your rear tyres is definitely the key here. You have to save them but also keep a good pace which is not hat easy.”
Despite of racing in Hungary for the first time, the Mexican GP3 driver closed a successful weekend at the Hungaroring scoring two points on the main race. “I really enjoy driving on this track. Things went okay for us since the free practice. The qualifying could have been better for me but the team almost had the pole position which is not bad at all. Really enjoyable and pretty technical track overall.”