2013 Hungarian Grand Prix Preview - MotorSportsTalk

Formula One makes its annual visit to the Hungaroring this weekend following a three week break that has left many fans suffering from withdrawal symptoms and getting caught up in ‘silly season’. Debuting in 1986, the race has become a firm fixture on the F1 calendar as its tight and twisty nature provides a challenge for the drivers and teams, but with temperatures expected to surpass 100ºF, will the heat get to teams this weekend in Hungary?

Hungarian Grand Prix Talking Points

Vettel’s pursuit of the clean sweep continues

It’s a true testament to Sebastian Vettel’s brilliance that we have to keep picking holes in his records to undermine him, or even make him appear human. The Hungarian GP remains one of two races on the calendar he is yet to win, but crossing the line first in Hungary would leave just Austin on the current calendar where the German driver has not won. Further to that, he would take the world championship by the throat heading into the summer break as his lead could grow to over 40 points. Hypothetically, of course.

Ferrari in need of a strong weekend

As Vettel’s fine form continues, the title continues to move away from Ferrari and Fernando Alonso. Of late, the team has been well off the pace, but the high temperatures in Budapest on Sunday could yet come to the Italian marque’s rescue. Felipe Massa is also chasing a good result following another driver error in Germany; will the heat be too much for the Brazilian to handle?

Ricciardo looks to seal the deal

All of the signs suggest that Daniel Ricciardo could be the right choice for Red Bull. Team owner Dietrich Mateschitz told Autosport today that he was impressed with the Australian driver and also that an announcement regarding the second seat is close. A good drive from Ricciardo this weekend could show Red Bull just why he’s the right choice, but Kimi Raikkonen has a remarkable record at the circuit. This was never going to be an easy decision for the world champions.

McLaren facing an uphill battle to continue their streak

McLaren boast a record at Hungary that no other team can match: six wins in the last eight years and eleven wins in total at the track. As Jenson Button explained earlier today, the team is not expecting to extend that record this weekend, but a step-up in form and perhaps an improvement on a best result of P5 would certainly go down well with all at the British team.

What about Pirelli?

Pirelli has confirmed that it will be bringing the 2012 tire constructions to this weekend’s race in order to prevent a repeat of the fiasco at the British GP. However, this race could be the hottest F1 race ever, so is Pirelli aptly prepared for this? Who knows, but all eyes will be on the Italian manufacturer this weekend as they hope to have a quiet weekend.

Track: Hungaroring
Laps: 70
Corners: 14
Lap Record: Michael Schumacher 1:19.071 (2004)
Tire Compounds: Soft (Option); Medium (Prime)
2012 Winner: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2012 Pole Position: Lewis Hamilton 1:20.953
2012 Fastest Lap: Sebastian Vettel 1:24.136
DRS Zones: Main Straight (T14 to T1); T1 to T2 – one detection point at T14.

Thursday – Free Practice 1: 04:00am ET
Thursday – Free Practice 2: 08:00am ET
Saturday – Free Practice 3: 05:00am ET
Saturday – Qualifying: 08:00am ET
Sunday – Race: 08:00am ET

An IndyCar executive said there is “absolutely” disappointment that its long-awaited video game recently was delayed beyond its target date, but the series remains optimistic about the new title.

“Well, I don’t know how quick it will be, but the whole situation is important to us,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said during a news conference Monday morning to announce IndyCar’s NTT title sponsorship. “Motorsport Games has spent a lot of money, a lot of effort to create an IndyCar title. What we’ve seen of that effort, which is not completely obvious, is very reassuring.

“I think it’s going to be outstanding. That’s our shared objective, that when it is released, it’s just widely accepted. A great credit both to IndyCar racing, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, something that our fans love.”

In June 2021, IndyCar announced a new partnership with Motorsport Games to create and distribute an IndyCar video game for the PC and Xbox and PlayStation consoles in 2023.

But during an earnings call last week, Motorsport Games said the IndyCar game had been delayed to 2024 to ensure high quality.

Somewhat compounding the delay is that IndyCar’s license for iRacing expired after the end of the 2022 season because of its exclusive agreement with Motorsport Games.

That’s resulted in significant changes for IndyCar on iRacing, which had provided a high-profile way for the series to stay visible during its 2020 shutdown from the pandemic. (Players still can race an unbranded car but don’t race on current IndyCar tracks, nor can they stream).

That’s helped ratchet up the attention on having a video game outlet for IndyCar.

“I wish we had an IndyCar title 10 years ago,” said Miles, who has been working with the organization since 2013. “We’ve been close, but we’ve had these I think speed bumps.”

IndyCar is hopeful the Motorsports Game edition will be ready at the start of 2024. Miles hinted that beta versions could be unveiled to reporters ahead of the time “to begin to show the progress in a narrow way to make sure we’ve got it right, to test the progress so that we’re ready when they’re ready.”

It’s been nearly 18 years since the release of the most recent IndyCar video game for console or PC.

“(We) better get it right,” Miles said. “It’s something we’re very close to and continue to think about what it is to make sure we get it over the line in due course.”