Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich told what it was like to drive in the heat at Hungary’s Hungaroring…
Q: Tell us about the Hungaroring?
Felipe Drugovitsj: This is one of the shortest circuits on the calendar, but also one of the most fun – with elevation changes and an interesting combination of slow and fast corners.
I drove the AMR21 at the Hungaroring. Although it is a car from the previous generation, I had a great experience. When you drive in Formula 1, you really understand how narrow the track is.
I have great memories of racing in Hungary, I won here in Euroformula and had good results in other series.
Q: The Hungaroring is called “Monaco without walls” – the circuit is almost as narrow and technical. What factor do you consider the key to success in Hungary?
Felipe Drugovitsj: Qualifying. Tire degradation during a race can encourage overtaking, but overtaking is still difficult and a high starting position usually ensures a good race result.
In qualifying, the second sector is particularly important: you have to navigate neatly through a combination of slow, medium and fast corners in order not to lose decisive tenths.
It is difficult to get a perfect lap on this circuit because of the high tire degradation. You can start a lap in qualifying with brand new tires, but with so many corners they quickly deteriorate. Taking care of your tires plays an important role during qualifying and the race.
Q: What are the best places to overtake?
Felipe Drugovitsj: Most overtaking occurs under hard braking at the end of the first DRS zone at Turn 1, and sometimes at Turn 2, but after that it can take a full lap before you have another chance to overtake.
In preparation for the first corner it is important not to overheat the tires and to get through the three corners perfectly at the end of the lap. If you are behind another car you have to get out of the dirty air stream, stay close and then use DRS.
To catch up on the second turn, you can simulate an attack on the first turn, forcing your opponent to defend and increasing your chances.
Q: According to the weather forecast, it will be particularly hot in Budapest this weekend. How difficult does this make the task?
Felipe Drugovitsj: On this circuit, the corners alternate and there are few long straights. You don’t have time to rest. It is physically difficult to drive a Formula 1 car in such conditions, especially when it is so hot.
The pace of the cars in the race is slower than in qualifying, due to tyre degradation and the large amount of fuel you go through the corner slower than in qualifying, but it remains difficult.
The riders are ready for this test. They are in excellent physical condition and will eat well all weekend.
Q: You work regularly on the simulator and help refine the car. Tell us about it…
Felipe Drugovitsj: We always strive to improve the car, and working on the simulator is an important part of this process. It is very nice when parts that you really appreciate are included in the specifications of the car.
I am familiarizing myself with the track and the set-up for next weekend. I am in Hungary this week with the team as a reserve driver and should be ready to drive if something happens to Lance or Fernando. So I will be doing laps around the Hungaroring on the simulator all week before I go there.
Q: What does your schedule look like this weekend?
Felipe Drugovitsj: I will attend meetings and technical briefings and give feedback where I can. I have all the information to get behind the wheel if necessary. In addition, I will do some press work.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
