The GP3 drivers – coming to round six out of eight – will have three sets of tyres available to them as usual, with the P Zero Yellow soft nominated for the 4.381-kilometre Hungaroring. This compound provides the perfect compromise between the performance and durability that will be needed to tackle the two demanding GP3 races in Hungary, with no scheduled pit stops permitted.
For the young GP3 drivers in particular, the Hungaroring will impose a physical challenge: although average speeds are low, there is a lot of effort required to manoeuvre the car around the twisty circuit, with very little airflow to keep drivers cool.
On Friday, the GP3 drivers will take part in one practice session at 08.30 am. On Saturday, the GP3 drivers will have their qualifying session in the morning at 09.45, followed by GP3 Race 1 at 17:20 (16 laps). Before the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, GP3 Race 2 will take place at 09:25.
Pirelli’s racing manager Mario Isola said: “Hungary could become one of the most strategic races in GP2 so far this season, with plenty of time to be gained or lost depending on the tyre decisions that are made. The GP3 drivers don’t have to make quite as many decisions, but the Hungaroring is still a big challenge for them when it comes to learning how to make the most out of the tyres, leading them naturally to the next level of GP2.”