The West McLaren Mercedes team arrives in Hungary for race 13 of the 2005
World Championship. Kimi remains second in the Drivers' World
Championship with 51 points, whilst Juan Pablo is fourth with 34 points.
In the Constructors' rankings Team McLaren Mercedes also remains second
with 95 points. The Grand Prix also marks West's final Formula One race
with the team, after eight successful years of Title Partnership.
"Everyone within the West McLaren Mercedes team is very appreciative for
all the support West, formerly owned by Reemtsma and latterly by Imperial
Tobacco, have given us over the last eight seasons," commented Ron
Dennis, Team Principal, West McLaren Mercedes.
"This time has embraced
two Drivers' World Championships, one Constructors' title and 38 race
wins. Our Partnership began with victory in Australia 1997, and it is
very satisfying to be leaving the Partnership at a time when we have a
competitive package and are challenging for victories."
The Hungarian Grand Prix has been held at the Hungaroring, which was
purpose built for Formula One, since the inaugural event in 1986. Located
12 miles / 19 km north of Budapest, the circuit is set in a natural
valley surrounded by rolling countryside. At the time, it was the first
major motor sport event in the former Eastern bloc, and remains the most
high profile attracting 260,000 spectators over the course of the Grand
Prix weekend.
West McLaren Mercedes driver Mika Häkkinen won at Budapest in 1999 and
2000. His team mate David Coulthard came home second and third in both
years respectively. To date, McLaren has won the Grand Prix on five
occasions.
The Hungarian Grand Prix is one of the slower races on the Formula One
calendar. In the first race in 1986, drivers were shown the chequered
flag one lap earlier than planned because the two-hour limit had been
reached, even though there hadn't been a drop of rain.
Kimi Raikkonen:
"I am looking forward to getting back behind the wheel this weekend and
working with the team to take a good result. Hungary is always really
hot, but it has been like that at some of the last races already, so it
is not a problem. The track's layout is similar to Monaco, it is very
short and slow, this makes it feel quite like a karting circuit. Also
there are lots of corners and gear changes like Monte Carlo, and in the
heat it means it is quite tough physically."
"As there are no real chances
to overtake, so qualifying is very important, and unfortunately I will be
going out first so will be affected by the dusty track, but the car is
quick and I will push hard. I always enjoy Hungary as there is always a
really good atmosphere because of all the Finns come down to the race. It
is like a home Grand Prix for me, and I hope I can give the thousands of
Finnish fans something to cheer about."
Juan Pablo Montoya:
"The track in Hungary is very dusty when we get there, it does clear up
on the racing lines after the first few sessions, but is really dirty off
line for the whole weekend. This means it is very slippery once you get
off the racing line, which makes it tricky to overtake and there is no
room for error. Because of the lack of grip and the need to use the kerbs
a lot, we need to make sure the car is well balanced."
"We use a high
downforce, but need to make sure to set the car up so that it is fast on
the main straight, as the first corner is the only place to overtake if
you get a good run down into it The Hungaroring is not one of my
favourite tracks, but it has got better since the changes were made a
couple of years ago."
Alex Wurz:
"The characteristics of the Hungaroring demand a very precise set-up, it
is a very tight and technical circuit. In addition to tyre selection with
Michelin I will also spend some time on Friday working on this."
Martin Whitmarsh, CEO Formula One, Team McLaren Mercedes:
"Despite the obvious disappointments in Germany, Kimi and Juan Pablo's
drive illustrated the pace of the MP4-20's, and as a team we need to use
this speed in Hungary to secure strong results and take a large points
haul away from the Grand Prix. The surface at the Hungaroring is very
abrasive, and this combined with the demands of constant cornering play a
significant role in tyre choice."
"Going into the three week break,
everyone within the team remains motivated and we are looking forward to
continuing our challenge for both Championships at the inaugural Turkish
Grand Prix on 21st August, however we need to focus on improving our
reliability in order to achieve the desired results."
Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport:
"After Kimi retired from the Hockenheim GP things have not become easier
for us. However, everybody in the team is working hard to achieve top
results at the Hungarian Grand Prix, although this won't be an easy task
at the Hungaroring."
"The track's layout is completely different from what
we have experienced in the last three races. With an average speed per
lap of a little less than 200 kph the circuit is the second slowest on
the calendar behind Monaco. Less than 60 percent of a lap is run under
full throttle. There is only one line to be driven on and overtaking is
nearly impossible."
"After he retired at Hockenheim, Kimi faces the
difficult challenge of going out first in Saturday's qualifying. The
speed is there as Kimi and Juan Pablo proved again at Hockenheim, and
from now on we also want to be reliable enough to achieve the best
possible results with both cars."
-mclaren-
