2022 Hungarian Grand Prix Tyre Performance Analysis

2022 Hungarian Grand Prix Tyre Performance Analysis: From P10 on the grid, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Hungarian Grand Prix with a two-stop strategy, starting on the P Zero Red soft tyre and then doing two stints on the P Zero Yellow medium: the strategy we had predicted as fastest.

The two Mercedes were second and third, each on a different run plan from each other and Verstappen, to make it three different strategies in the top three. There were different strategies all the way down the grid, with half the field starting on the medium and the other half on the soft.

The weather made the Hungarian Grand Prix extremely complicated: the race was run in cool conditions (around 20 degrees ambient and 25 on track) with rain just before and during the final couple of laps of the race. Some strong winds also affected the aerodynamic balance.

Pirelli now remains in Hungary for more 2023 prototype slick tyre testing, with Aston Martin and Mercedes on Tuesday and Wednesday.

How Each Tyre Performed

• HARD C2: The cool weather did not really suit the hard today, but it was a vital component in the one-stop strategy for the Alpine drivers, who both finished in the points. Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas also targeted a one-stop strategy using the hard.
• MEDIUM C3:  The optimal race tyre, which was well-balanced in these conditions and able to complete stints in excess of 30 laps, showing moderate and manageable degradation.
• SOFT C4: Used extensively during the race and showed strong performance in the cool conditions that allowed its speed and grip to come to the fore – as George Russell showed when he led throughout the early stages.

Mario Isola: Pirelli Motorsport Director

“I’m very happy for the hundreds of thousands of spectators who came to the track and all the other fans around the world who saw three teams in a close fight for victory for the first time this season. This is a win for everyone in Formula 1, and it was also great to see around 10 different tyre strategies during the race – with every compound used – which all played their part in delivering an exciting and spectacular grand prix, just as we have seen all year so far. Budapest now marks the beginning of the summer break, but not straight away for us: on Tuesday and Wednesday we stay here at the Hungaroring to continue our 2023 testing programme. It’s the final push before the holidays, which we will tackle safe in the knowledge of all the work that has been carried out thanks to the efforts of everyone at Pirelli: both present on the track, and back at base in Milan.”

2022 Hungarian Grand Prix Tyre Performance Analysis

Formula 2 Tyre Analysis

There were split strategies in the 37-lap Formula 2 feature race, with a similar number of drivers in the top 10 of the grid starting on the P Zero Red soft and P Zero Yellow medium. The winning strategy turned out to be soft to medium, with the soft runners able to take advantage of their extra speed in the relatively cool conditions. Race winner Theo Pourchaire (ART Grand Prix) switched from soft to medium on lap seven, while the highest-placed finisher on the alternative strategy was his team mate Frederik Vesti, who ended up fourth.

Formula 3 Tyre Analysis

MP Motorsport driver Alexander Smolyar won from pole in the changeable conditions of the 24-lap Formula 3 feature race, with all the drivers starting on the Cinturato Blue rain tyre. Not all of them stayed on it though as many made a pit stop for P Zero slicks, with the crossover point coming at around lap 20. Carlin’s Zak O’Sullivan made the most of the opportunity offered by the slick, fighting back to fourth at the finish.