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2006 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix
Race Preview

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Can Renault recover?

In the last 7 races, Renault won the first 4 and Ferrari the last 3. It seems that the tables have turned and Renault are struggling to match Ferrari. What is more worrying for Renault is that they are also being caught by other teams such as McLaren, Toyota and Honda. So can they recover ? That really depends on a number of factors with tyres and tyre choice being the most important. Add to that the banning and subsequent allowing of Renault's mass damper system. The team needs to be calm and cannot afford to panic otherwise it will be very difficult for them to recover.

The track at the Hungaroring (layout) is tight and twisty and often described as 'Monaco without walls'. The cars run maximum downforce due to the many slow speed corners. The track isn't hard on engines however track temperatures are usually very high and so the cars run maximum cooling. Brakes are also tested here.
Don't expect much overtaking. The only chance for overtaking is at the end of the main straight but even there, they will be rare!.
Tyre wear is expected to be high and the compounds will be from the harder range. 

No testing occurred last week.

Teams and Drivers to watch:

Renault's lead in both Championships have shrunk and if they are to retain the titles they have to stop the gap shrinking and try to increase it again. Of course that will be very difficult and they will be hoping for a better tyre from Michelin to compete with the Bridgestone tyre.
Fernando Alonso can still win this race but it will be difficult. Giancarlo Fisichella needs to put a solid performance to help the team but a podium finish will be difficult.

Ferrari had an impressive 1 - 2 finish in Germany and it is hard to bet against them having another strong finish here. They have a great package and are on a high.
Michael Schumacher is now 11 points behind Fernando Alonso and can now feel that an 8th title is possible. A win is likely.
Felipe Massa will need to help Michael and Ferrari by finishing ahead of the 2 Renaults. A poidum finish is likely.

McLaren did well in Germany finishing on the podium. They were still far behind Ferrari but were the nest of the Michelin runners.
Kimi Raikkonen won in Hungary last year and he could repeat it if his tyres are competitive and his car is reliable. Pedro de la Rosa should do well if his car lasts!

Honda showed some signs of recovery at Hockenheim but they remain unreliable for a team with big ambitions!
Jenson Button did well finishing 4th and that should help him build some confidence. Points likely if his car lasts.
Rubens Barrichello was unlucky in Germany and could score points here.

Toyota are getting stronger every race and their Bridgestone tyres are the main contributors to that. They still need to work on their reliability.
Ralf Schumacher had a strange race in Germany. He needs to push hard when it matters! Points possible.
Trulli did well starting from the back of the grid following an engine change to finish in the points just behind Fisichella.

BMW Sauber had a bad weekend in Germany so bad that it seems that Jacques Villeneuve won't be driving for them. Villeneuve will be replaced by Kubica in Hungary and no decision has been made for the remaining races. Points will be hard anyway!
Nick Heidfeld could score a point or two if a few cars ahead retire. Robert Kubica who replaces Jacques Villeneuve will want to impress in his debut race. Points unlikely though!.

Red Bull struggled in Germany but could score a few points here as this is a tight track and they did well in Monaco earlier in the year.

Williams have again failed to score points even though Webber was strongly in the points until his car failed him yet again. They could do well if their car lasts otherwise it will be another disappointment.
Webber had the potential for a podium finish. He will be trying again in Hungary!
Rosberg has been struggling. He may be fast but he seems to be making too many mistakes. He needs to calm down!.

Toro Rosso are giving Red Bull as hard time. They are getting closer to the midfield and they could be mixing with them again in Hungary. Points will still be difficult though.

MF1 Racing will again be at the back while Super Aguri will be fast but unreliable.

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