The Tricky Weather Conditions That Could Make or Break the Hungarian GP for F1 Drivers

The Hungarian GP marks the 13th round of the 2022 F1 championship and the race can very well prove to be unlucky for some. It is a weekend full of uncertainties as the weather is highly dynamic and changes by the hour. A dry qualifying session has set up a thrilling prospect for the race day as each constructor has their eyes fixed on the weather radar ahead of lights out.

Throughout the weekend, the rain clouds have been constant over the Hungaroring. Friday featured dry running for the drivers throughout the two practices. However, come Saturday, the heavens opened up in Budapest and gave the teams their first and only data on wet conditions at this circuit.

Come race day, the forecast suggests a 60% chance of rain before the start of the Grand Prix and a 40% chance of rain during the initial stages of the race. It points toward a prospect of a dry race, with the temperatures ranging around 80.6F. An overcast condition will be the feature of the race day and the challenge in front of the F1 teams.

Furthermore, another essential factor is the wind speed, which can have a major impact on the car at high-speed turns. The wind can be a big obstacle to overcome as it is breezy at 15mph, and with gusts of up to 40mph, blowing in a north-westerly direction.

READ MORE: George Russell Provides a Glimpse Into the Future of F1 Including Charles Leclerc & Max Verstappen With Compelling Theory

Who do you think will prevail in the uncertain Hungarian GP conditions and walk away with the maximum points?

How weather can affect the race result of the Hungarian GP?

The weather has a major impact on an F1 car’s performance. It is a day and night difference between how a car operates under dry and wet conditions. It majorly affects the drivers and the teams who have to reassess their whole race strategy as per the prevailing conditions.

The 8-time constructor winners initially suffering this weekend was a prime example of the weather being the reason behind a team’s success or downfall. The teams started off the weekend in dry conditions on Friday and Mercedes faced a massive performance gap to Red Bull and Ferrari. But on Saturday, the racing gods blessed them with rain.

The wet conditions particularly did not help them as it hindered them from getting temperature into their tires. However, the rain significantly lowered the track temperature, which put the Germans back in the mix in the qualifying. The Brit duo, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, suddenly found the key to success around the Hungaroring.

The W13 performed exceptionally well in cooler temperatures and the team worked out to get the tire temperature to the optimal levels. All the hard work translated into Russell grabbing his maiden career pole position and the first for Mercedes in 2022.

Watch This Story: How Fast Can F1 Cars Go? Comparisons With MotoGP, IndyCar, NASCAR and Formula E

The temperatures can shift your weekend in either direction. One day, the heat can be the enemy of the 18-inch tires, and another, it can be the enemy of the grip around an F1 circuit. With such unknown factors, it all comes down to the skills of a driver, which helps it stand out that day more than the rest of the pack.

Which race do you enjoy the most, a dry race or a wet race?