Connect with us

News

Could Europe’s newest circuit be a refreshing change for F1?

Published

on


In the desert of the street circuit, there is a rare oasis of a new-built traditional circuit – 4.1 km/2.5 miles long and 16 corners. After four years of construction, the Balatonpark Circuit is a proper old-fashioned circuit close to Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe of the same name.

Built by a team led by former Formula 1 practice driver Chanoch Nissany, the track and surrounding complex have seen a €200 million investment to attract motorsport and tourism to the region. Built to FIA Class 1 specifications (although it will initially apply for Class 2), the circuit hopes to host international competitions from the 2024 season, initially focusing on sports car racing and junior single-seaters. There is also hope of creating an international racing academy for young drivers.

It’s a grand complex, its concrete structure looming over the Hungarian countryside, and it has a permanent seating capacity for 10,000 fans, which can be increased to 120,000 with temporary stands. A luxury hotel has also been built nearby, and there are already many others nearby, given how attractive the area is to Budapest residents in summer.

Its closest competitor is Hungaroring, just over an hour away on the other side of the capital. An F1 mainstay, it has hosted the Hungarian Grand Prix since its construction in 1986, and its current venue contract runs until 2027. Organizers are thought to be considering another long-term extension after that.

While board member Gianpaolo Matteucci was coy about hosting F1 at Balaton Park, insisting it was not its “main aim”, he stressed that it was ready to host “any kind of international event, which is what we want to create the infrastructure for.” The main reason is for Formula 1, which is FIA Grade 1″.

He continued: “Everything is done under the highest safety regulations of the FIA ​​and FIM. Formula 1 has been held at the Hungaroring for many, many years and will be there in the future. On our side we are prepared Good for any kind of racing event.”

Having said that, let’s take a look at the circuit itself. After enjoying a few excursions in Porsches (718 Spyder, Panamera and a very tidy 911 Turbo S), Autosport had its first chance to get a quick taste of the track thanks to a familiar face – three-time GP winner Gyan Giancarlo Fisichella.

Having gone out for a drive the day before, Fisichella said he was “impressed with the character (of the track)”, adding that it “really has it all” and was “a joy to drive”.

Fisichella approves of new circuit, also gives Autosport a chance

Fisichella approves of new circuit, also gives Autosport a chance

Photography: Balaton Park

“It’s always a pleasure to discover a new track and I’m honored to be the first on this very beautiful track,” he said. “If you ask me if there is a particular favorite place, I can’t tell you, because I like every corner.”

While the anti-clockwise circuit wasn’t exactly dry, the man who was a teammate with Fernando Alonso during Renault’s glory days had nothing but good things to say as he swept through every corner – six right-handers and 10 left bends – hands. Italians naturally drive Ferraris.

Entering the No. 1 hairpin turn is a good opportunity for overtaking. There’s another bobby pin shortly after, though a more open bobby pin needs a smooth exit. Fisichella said Turn 4 required a bit more tact, with some tricky braking on the way into the corner while also fighting oversteer. Turn 4 leads to the back straight and the ex-Ferrari test driver had hit 220 km/h (around 135 mph) the day before, adding that “maybe even 300 km/h can be achieved in Formula 1”.

Balatonpark is a dream circuit that marks a new departure from the street circuits that have become commonplace on the modern F1 calendar

Before the difficult high-speed Turn 7 there is another hairpin and chicane, and then another chicane. Approaching Turn 10, it was important to follow the V-line before Turn 11, and Fisichella said it was “impossible” to go all out in wet conditions – although he seemed to be trying!

Approaching the last part of the track, there is another hairpin ahead, before the left-hand corners of turns 13 and 14, and finally the most important corners of turns 15 and 16. We then cut into the pit lane before reaching the start/finish straight. It was a thrilling ride alongside the two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, who insists he does better in dry conditions.

Bookings for the 2024 season are already open at Balatonpark, with the track hoping to attract both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, with the likes of the ACCR Czech Formula 4 already looking to tour there. With tracks in continental Europe in short supply, new facilities like this are crucial for smaller championships facing skyrocketing costs.

The Balatonpark circuit is a dream circuit that marks a new departure from the street circuits that have become commonplace on the modern F1 calendar. Of course, inner-city twists and turns sometimes crop up, but they should be the exception, not the rule – especially as F1 cars get bigger and bigger.

While the board insists F1 is not its goal, the series could fare worse than considering Balaton Park as a future schedule.

F1 could do worse than mess up its schedule and add a new permanent venue at Balaton Park, not the recent tradition of identikit street circuits

F1 could do worse than mess up its schedule and add a new permanent venue at Balaton Park, not the recent tradition of identikit street circuits

Photography: Balaton Park

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Ocon: 'I have much respect for Aston Martin'

Published

on

By




Esteban Ocon had a great Sunday afternoon. Across the streets of Monaco, the Frenchman appeared to be at one with his Alps, which eventually even earned him a podium finish. Ocon told a news conference that he looked back on the weekend with a very good feeling.

Continue Reading

News

Perez “cannot afford another zero” in F1 2023 season

Published

on

By


The Red Bull driver was last in Sunday’s race and was out in Q1 qualifying.

He went on to make five pit stops in a dismal race that saw him twice passed by team-mate and race winner Max Verstappen, who now leads the championship by 39 points.

Although it marked Perez’s first game of the season without scoring, the Mexican said his error was “costly” and “unacceptable”.

He said: “We paid for my mistake and it was very costly. I just have to apologize to my whole team because it was unacceptable for this kind of mistake to be made.

“I have to move on and learn from it, I can’t afford another zero in the tournament.”

Despite the poor finish, Perez had a “very good” start to the race, finishing 15th on lap 30, but dropped back into the standings after a couple of incidents and a period of rain.

He also collided with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen in the corner on lap 34, breaking his front wing.

Perez said he “didn’t know what happened” but was “considerably hurt” by the incident.

He added: “It went well. Unfortunately I hit traffic early on and that put us back where we were. Then it rained and we were one of the last to pit.

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB19, Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo C43

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB19, Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo C43

Photography: Simon Galloway/ motorsport pictures

“Then I cut the wall and it all became a mess. Me and Magnussen broke my front wing and he just came out of the chicane (deeply) and it went bad.

“When you’re in those positions, you’re always taking a lot of risks.”

Also read:

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said it had been a “bad weekend” for Perez, blaming the poor result on a crash in qualifying that “put you at a disadvantage”.

He also said Perez was inside Ocon’s maintenance window before getting stuck behind slow-moving traffic.

Horner said: “We took a very aggressive strategy. Stopped on the first lap and you could see how fast he was in the free space and how much the others were saving.

“He actually came back inside the pit window on Esteban Ocon, and then (Logan) Sargeant and the slow car started to struggle and, of course, you couldn’t overtake.

“Then he got involved in a melee with (George) Russell and damaged the front wing. It was just one of those weekends where he got nothing done.

“He saved a lot of money in the pool, so he might need a new pair of underwear after that.

“For him, it’s just one of those weekends where[he should]turn the page and I think for him, the sooner he gets to Barcelona the better.”

Continue Reading

News

Verstappen: 'We always have to be perfect'

Published

on

By




Max Verstappen gave a masterclass in the narrow streets of Monte Carlo. The Dutchman once again showed his raw talent, whether in the rain or on dry tarmac. If the Dutchman fails to win, there are still two contenders for the title. Teammate Sergio Perez and his friend Fernando Alonso. Will the Spaniard get another chance at victory soon? Verstappen responded at a press conference.

Continue Reading

news