Hungarian GP: Cosworth preview

Hungarian Grand Prix from an Engine's Perspective

The low speed, tight and twisty nature of the Hungaroring circuit renders its severity on the engine similar in ways to Monaco. The track is comprised of 14 mainly low to medium speed corners with the start-finish straight just 700m long. Engines are only run at full throttle for around 55% of the lap, the second lowest percentage of the season after Monaco, but that does not mean that engine performance does not play a key role in securing a competitive lap time.

Drivers need good traction and good torque from the engine unit when exiting the lower speed corners in order to find a good rhythm when negotiating the next turn. A responsive engine is especially important exiting turn 14 to get a good run down the main straight heading to turn 1, arguably the only overtaking opportunity around the short lap.

Because the majority of corners are slow speed, the engine needs good driveability at high revs and drivers need to be smooth on the throttle to avoid excessive strain on the unit. Cooling is often a problem at Hungary because of the lack of straights and the usual hot climate in Hungary at this time of the year. The engine gets very little in the way of breathing space around the lap, enhancing the risks of overheating over 70 laps.

Fast Fact
The Hungarian Grand Prix is the final race before Formula One takes its summer break. Like all F1 teams, Cosworth will also be closing its Formula One facilities for a two-week period from August 3rd -16th inclusive. The season resumes with the Belgian GP at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a stern test of all-round engine performance.

This Weekend in History... 1 August 1971
Jackie Stewart dominated the German Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring heading a Cosworth-powered 1-2 for Tyrrell-Ford with Francois Cevert taking second place. Stewart had taken pole position, while Cevert took fastest lap honours in the 12-lap race.

-source: cosworth