Sergey Sirotkin believes that the technical Hungaroring circuit, home of the Hungarian Grand Prix since its inception in 1986, will prove to be a “good challenge” for Williams Martini Racing.
Williams suffered another dismal weekend in Germany, including two retirements for both Sirotkin and team-mate Lance Stroll, despite bringing an upgraded package to the Hockenheimring. The Grove team are without a point since Stroll’s eighth-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April, and Sirotkin is yet to claim the first points of his young Formula 1 career.
The Russian can take solace from a promising personal record in Budapest, including four podiums and a win in four GP2 Series races there, and hopes to add to those “good memories”. The race ends the effective first half of the Formula 1 season, the Germany and Hungary double-header leading into a three-week summer break before the Belgian Grand Prix.
“Hungary will be another back-to-back,” said Sirotkin. “But by now we have enough experience on how to manage this.
“It’s a track I really like, I have had quite a few wins in Hungary and have good memories with this place.”
However, Sirotkin understands that with hot weather forecast and a balance-demanding layout, Williams may find themselves struggling in Hungary. Various aerodynamic issues, including stalling at the diffuser upon the de-activation of the DRS at the Silverstone International Circuit, have plagued the team’s season.
With more upgrades scheduled for this weekend, Sirotkin says that the race will be a “good challenge”, if not a points-scoring venture, for the car and team.
“It will be challenging as I assume the weather will be hot, along with a very demanding track layout, so it will not be easy,” he added.
“However, it will be a good challenge for us to see how all the upgrades are working in the lead up to the summer break.”
Williams are 14 points adrift of the ninth-placed Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team in the ten-team Constructors’ Championship after the first 11 rounds.
