Paul Williams on the features of the weekend at the Hungaroring

      Before the Hungarian Grand Prix, Williams' chief race engineer Paul Williams spoke about the factors that could influence the weekend's proceedings...

      Question: What are the main technical challenges of the Hungaroring?

      Paul Williams: The key factor is downforce. The Hungaroring is a relatively slow track, but the high-speed section between turns 8 and 11 is critically important for a good result, with engine power and drag playing a much lesser role than at most other tracks. A lot also depends on the ability to manage tire wear – tires wear out quickly on hot asphalt.

      Question: How will the 2026 regulations affect the approach to the weekend?

      Paul Williams: The Hungaroring is a much less energy-intensive track than Spa, where we raced last week. One could say that energy distribution plays the least role here of all the tracks we've raced on this year, except for Monaco. We will see four DRS zones where active aerodynamics can be used, all of which will remain active in wet conditions.

      Question: What are the specifics of working with tires at the Hungaroring?

      Paul Williams: Teams will receive the softest compounds from Pirelli's range, which are best suited for a track with many accelerations and the need for high grip, but there will be inevitable issues due to overheating and high wear. In qualifying, it will be challenging to prepare the tires for the attempt – the lap is too short, requiring careful preparation on the out lap and skill in dealing with traffic. During the race, it's important to conserve tire resources – they can only cool down slightly on the main straight.

      Question: What strategic considerations should be taken into account during the race?

      Paul Williams: Over the distance, three tire compounds can be used, but Medium and Hard are more effective over long stints. We expect a race with two pit stops, although a relatively small reduction in tire wear – only 20% – will be enough to switch the race to a one-stop strategy. The Hungaroring ranks third in difficulty for overtaking this year, especially when the difference in tire condition is small. The likelihood of a real or virtual safety car being deployed is only 20%.