Raikkonen says heat in Hungary should help Lotus

2013 F1 season

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Kimi Raikkonen believes the warm weather conditions usually seen at the Hungaroring should help Lotus in next week’s race.

The E21s ran well in hot conditions at the German Grand Prix two weeks ago: “Again we saw that warmer temperatures suited us and we usually get hot weather in Budapest so that should be a good thing,” said Raikkonen.

“The circuit is not the most difficult of them all,” he added, “but it is a really challenging venue as it’s usually very hot which makes it a demanding race.”

“Of course, the heat has helped us with the car so far this year so that will make things better, but only if it’s a win will you not suffer from the heat.”

Despite an extra DRS zone being used at most tracks this year Raikkonen believes it will still be difficult to overtake in Hungary and that will make qualifying well more important:

“I have finished second in Hungary too many times, so I know how important it is to lead the race after the first corner. DRS or not, it’s never easy to overtake at the Hungaroring.

“To get the weekend right, you have to have good sessions in FP1, FP2 and FP3, then a strong qualifying session and finally a perfect start to the race.”

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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25 comments on “Raikkonen says heat in Hungary should help Lotus”

  1. Motivated Finn. Good to see =)

    great job keith for rapid posting again.

  2. Déjà vu! If memory serves me correct Lotus was expecting the same thing last year only to be beaten by a phenomenal Hamilton.

    1. if memory serve me right kimi produced fastest lap time on worn out soft compound for consecutive laps that allow him to jump 3 cars and chase lewis down the road. Those that pitted for fresh tyre couldn’t even lap faster.

      Now, that’s what we call phenomenal instead of hopping into the fastest car and got pole. Grid position is crucial in Hungary. Lets hope the car in front (merc, rbr) suffer more with the heat.

    2. this year their car is much faster…

    3. Grid position is King here.

      Lewis and Nico have good chance to win again in such narrow circuit. Its like monaco without barrier.

      1. If there’s one thing to take from the last few races it is that Mercedes have poor starts relative to the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel sitting directly behind them/it on the grid. So it’s by no means a formality they can grab pole and hold it.

        1. I don’t agree with that. Watch Silverstone start again ans see Hamilton drop Vettel.

          1. @f190 I only remember him easily passing Rosberg!

          2. @f190 – LH dropped Rosberg.

          3. He dropped both to be fair. He had a good lead into t1. His start in Germany was ok but Vettel got a better one. I felt Webber went well wide on exit ( he easily had all four wheels outside the white lines) of t1 and that’s the only way he was able to keep the place, but we’ve seen before that the start is a free for all and no rules really apply.

            Vettel often gets good starts but I can only remember Germany where he’s got past a Mercedes ? Could be wrong tho.

          4. @f190 he got past one in Silverstone (Rosberg) and one in Spain (Hamilton) as well but you are correct he has usually been covered off after making better starts (eg Rosberg in Bahrain, Hamilton in Monaco). Nevertheless, it’s a distinct possibility if the usual situation unfolds in Hungary (Mercedes on pole, Vettel 2nd/3rd) then he could grab the lead by turn one – he’s having very good starts so far this year!

    4. I think strategy will be king in Hungary, even if Mercedes lock out the front row, they don’t perform well in hot venues and they could be passed in the stops if not on track, unless they managed to sort out their tyre deg

  3. “I have finished second in Hungary too many times..”

    Yup, three times to be exact, each and every time behind Lewis Hamilton!!!

    1. And I think Lewis might be on pole again this year. But severe Mercedes’ tyre degradation and poor race pace in hot conditions might help Kimi.

    2. 4 times actually. 2nd to Alonso in 2003.

      1. @sandy Oh heck, I forgot..wow, he really must be tired of finishing 2nd at the Hungaroring..

    3. RabarberRabarber
      19th July 2013, 16:33

      2003 Hungarian Grand Prix. Google it.

    4. but Merc not good with tires, so that is looking unlikely. Kimi should start from 4th the highest

  4. “To get the weekend right, you have to have good sessions in FP1, FP2 and FP3, then a strong qualifying session and finally a perfect start to the race.”

    Why does Kimi give out such hard earned racing secrets all the time? Other guys are using all these intel.

  5. Depends on how fast teams adopt to the new/old tires. Could shake up quite a few things, so I won’t enter my prediction before FP3 isn’t over ;)

  6. What if it rains?

    1. Then they will struggle

      1. I know it’s a rarity for the Hungarian GP but it isn’t always guaranteed to be sunny (2006 for example). And we know how Lotus go when it’s cooler…

    2. If it rains, Red Bull will be strong, and Ferrari.
      If it is hot, Lotus will be strong, and Red Bull.
      If it is cool, Mercedes will be strong, and Red Bull.

  7. Not a race goes by that somehow doesn’t ‘help’ lotus. Well, except for lotus being incompetent.

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