New tyre regulations in Hungary: 'Increase in traffic in qualifying'

In a regular weekend, drivers have 13 sets of tyres at their disposal, at the Hungaroring there are 11: three sets of hard tyres, four sets of mediums and four sets of softs. In regular qualifying, teams have the option to decide which compound from Pirelli they want to use in Q1, Q2 and Q3. For Hungary, it is prescribed that hard tyres are used in Q1, mediums are mandatory in Q2 and in Q3 the drivers drive softs.

'More efficient use of Pirelli tyres'

Jock Clear, driver coach at Ferrari, is curious to see how the changes will work out. "With the aim of a more efficient use of tyres and the possibility of using fewer sets over the course of the weekend, the teams will have more flexibility in using sets in free practice sessions whilst respecting a more prescriptive use in qualifying. Teams will be able to carry over used sets from one practice session to the next, returning only one from each session. In qualifying, each driver will have available to him, only two sets of Hard in Q1, two sets of Medium in Q2, and two sets of Soft in Q3. The regulations regarding tyre choices for the race are unchanged."

Clear does not think the rules are going to affect driver preparation. "The modern Formula 1 format of imposed parc ferme from qualifying onwards has meant drivers and their teams are constantly looking for a ‘best compromise’ set-up suited to both the low fuel qualifying sessions as well as the high fuel conditions and traffic of the race," Clear said.

"As such, this change in tyre usage should not impact the drivers’ programmes significantly. The need to run the three compounds through qualifying will result in drivers doing more laps on the harder compounds in Q1 and Q2 with an inevitable increase in traffic."