F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Vettel on Hungarian GP: a big physical challenge

Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel says this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix present Formula One drivers with a “big physical challenge”, given the twisty nature of the Budapest track and local summer temperatures often in excess of 30˚C.

The German heads to the Hungaroring in the wake of disappointing results in Silverstone and Austria, with the Scuderia yet to win a race in 2016.

Vettel currently occupies fifth in the Drivers’ standings, trailing Mercedes' Nico Rosberg by 70 points. The four-time world champion hopes he can recapture the sort of form that propelled him to victory in Hungary 12 months ago.

“Budapest is a sweet memory from 2015, when we were able to win the race after a fantastic start,” Vettel said.

“The track itself is quite short and often called 'The Monaco of racetracks', just lacking the walls, but you have a lot of corners, one big straight and after that a lot of corners, and not much time to rest in between.

“It makes it quite tough and physically a big challenge for the drivers, because it’s quite hot and the track is bumpy, but I think overall it is a place where we love to go.”

Having been a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar since 1986, the Hungaroring secured a new deal through 2026 earlier this season.

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Julien Billiotte

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