The Bridgestone-supported GP2 Series heads to the outskirts of Budapest in Hungary and the
circuit of the Hungaroring for round seven of the hotly-contested championship which provides
the F1 drivers of tomorrow.
The 4.38 km Hungaroring track is a tight and twisty challenge for competitors, with the left hand
tyres suffering the most during its 14 turn duration. With such a tight course, a car set-up with
good turn-in is required and drivers will have to be very aware of their tyre management to extract
the maximum from the medium compound Bridgestone Potenza GP2 slick racing tyres used.
In 2007, Adam Carroll (FMS) and Javier Villa (Racing Engineering) won a race apiece here. Villa
returns this year with the same team so should provide a good marker to the 25 other aspiring
drivers wanting to prove their worth in front of the Formula One paddock.
Heading to Hungary, Giorgio Pantano (Racing Engineering) leads the championship with 63
points from Bruno Senna (iSport) on 48. Romain Grosjean (ART) is in third place on 34 points.
The teams’ championship is led by iSport with 74 points, from Racing Engineering on 68.
Campos are in third position with 49 points.
Quote from Hirohide Hamashima – Director of Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development
“Budapest is a very slow speed circuit and is therefore one of the tracks on the GP2 calendar
requiring the most grip from the car. Overtaking is very difficult there for the drivers due to few
heavy braking points. Also, the chicane, at turn six, has a great influence on the drivers’ sector
two lap times which can affect overall lap times significantly. In the last two corners the balance of
the car is a very important factor, as good car balance there will allow the drivers to get up to a
good speed on the start/finish straight. GP2 will be using the Bridgestone medium compound at
this track and with typically very hot weather conditions tyre management is very important.”
Stats & Facts
Number & Spec of tyres for Hungary: 760 (medium)
Pole position time 2007: 1m 27.566s – T Glock (iSport)
Fastest race lap 2007: 1m 28.968s – S Buemi, ART (R2)
Top three 2007 race 1: A Carroll (FMS), K Nakajima (DAMS), A Zuber (iSport)
Top three 2007 race 2: J Villa (Racing Engineering), A Carroll (FMS), R Rodriguez
(Piquet Sports)

Bridgestone Motorsport