Alpine F1 Team want more points in Hungarian Grand Prix 27.07.2021: 2021 FORMULA 1 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX Hungaroring, Budapest 30 July - 1 August 2021 After the team claimed double points in Silverstone, its focus shifts to Hungary. Executive Director Marcin Budkowski analyses the previous round and looks ahead t

2021 FORMULA 1 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
Hungaroring, Budapest
30 July - 1 August 2021



After the team claimed double points in Silverstone, its focus shifts to Hungary. Executive Director Marcin Budkowski analyses the previous round and looks ahead to racing in Budapest this weekend for the Hungarian Grand Prix.



How does the team reflect on Silverstone?


While it’s good we scored double points in Silverstone – and very important points for the championship - our ambitions remain higher than finishing seventh and ninth.


That said, as a team, we contributed to the success of the first Sprint Qualifying in Formula 1, thanks to a brave tyre choice and great drives from Fernando and Esteban, which allowed us to recover from a somewhat disappointing qualifying performance on Friday - and to put on a good show for the fans in attendance.



How would you describe Fernando and Esteban’s performances last weekend?


I think Fernando has now silenced for good whoever doubted his return would be a success. His speed is still there, and his race-craft is second to none, as we saw once again in both races last Saturday and Sunday. He will no doubt continue pushing himself and the team as the season goes on.


After two difficult weekends, it was great to see Esteban in good form and a solid weekend allowed him to return to the points. He can now build on this good performance and retrieve his superb early season form.



Is the team looking forward to racing in Hungary?

On a personal level, I always enjoy the trip to Budapest. It’s a beautiful city and one of my favourite destinations of the season, and I think most of the team will agree with me!


The Hungaroring is a tight and twisty track and notoriously difficult to overtake on. That means qualifying will be important and we will need to realise the potential of the car on Saturday to put ourselves in a place where we can fight for the higher points-scoring positions in the race.





It’s been an intense season so far, how is the team approaching the final race before the summer break?


It’s the stage of the year when Grand Prix fatigue is kicking in after quite a few races already. It’s been a big push from the start of the season with both Enstone and Viry working hard to develop the car.



The focus has now switched entirely to 2022 at both factories, meaning there are fewer new parts coming to the track, but the second half of the calendar is a gruelling schedule and everyone in the team looks forward to the two-week break to recharge. But, before we can relax, we are aiming for another strong showing and a double points finish in Hungary.


 



Tyres:

Hard, C2 (White)
Esteban – 2
Fernando - 2

Medium, C3 (Yellow)
Esteban – 3
Fernando - 3

Soft, C4 (Red)
Esteban – 8
Fernando – 8



Esteban Ocon
Starts - 3
Points – 2
Average Points – 0.66
Fastest Qualifying – 1:15.742 (2020)
Fastest Lap – 1:20.261 (2020)
Best Finish – 9th (2017)
Best Grid Position – 11th (2017)


Fernando Alonso
Starts - 17
Points – 125
Average Points – 7.35
Fastest Qualifying – 1:17.549 (2017)
Fastest Lap – 1:20.182 (2017)
Best Finish – 1st (2003)
Best Grid Position – 1st (2003, 2009)



Renault-powered cars in Hungary
Starts - 136
Wins - 8
Podiums - 29
Pole Positions - 10
Fastest Laps - 12
Total points - 490
 





Last season’s team result
Ricciardo
Grid – 11th
Race – 8th

Ocon
Grid – 14th
Race – 14th



- Alpine also photos