Time flies, as F3 prepares for penultimate round at the Hungaroring
Round 9 - Budapest - Preview
After last Sunday’s F3 Feature Race ended before it began due to a torrential downpour at Spa, Hitech TGR headed straight for warmer climes in Hungary’s capital city of Budapest. But while the temperatures expected for Round 9 may be higher, the forecast points to a potential chance of showers across the weekend. Drying times at the Hungaroring are typically quicker, but the Championship’s penultimate event could still bring a fresh twist to the 2025 title fight.
With four races remaining, our McLaren junior Martinius Stenshorne has his sights set on a top-three placing. He is currently fifth in the Drivers’ Standings, a relatively surmountable 13 points adrift of third place. After the frustrations of last Sunday’s washout, he’ll be eager to be back in action at this tough and technical circuit, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary as host to F1’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Norwegian has notched up four podiums so far this season, with two victories and two runner-up placings. Damp conditions at a track where it can be notoriously difficult to overtake in the dry are an appetising prospect for the Hungary encounter.
Until the Red Flag brought the Feature Race to an early conclusion, Gerrard Xie had been enjoying a very positive weekend in Belgium. One week on, he’ll be eager to harness that momentum at a circuit where he celebrated his maiden GB3 victory last season.
Alongside the pair, we’re excited to welcome back Nikita Johnson for his scheduled return to car number 15, in which he made his Hitech F3 debut earlier this month at Silverstone. This will be his second visit to the Budapest racetrack, having raced here in GB3 last season.
Paul Bellringer, Hitech’s F3 Team Manager:
“This season has flown by, and it’s hard to believe we’re on the home stretch. That said, we still have two Sprint and two Feature Races to contend, from which there are a considerable number of points available. It is still wide open from second place down in the Drivers’ Standings, and we’ll be fighting right up to the finale in Monza.”
“Martinius and Gerrard have been in great form, and we look forward to welcoming back Nikita, who acclimatised well to his new equipment at Silverstone.”
Often dubbed “Monaco without walls”, the 4.381-kilometre Hungaroring is a loop set in a natural basin. It is a series of incessant bends and a single straight line – that of the pits – which makes overtaking really tricky. There are 14 corners, six left and eight right, some of which are 180° turns. Despite being relatively slow and narrow, there’s no let-up, so it demands everything from a driver.
The circuit can be dusty due to the summer heat and otherwise infrequent usage, so the emphasis is on good corner entry and traction, setting the car up to afford maximum grip for the track conditions.
Friday 1 August
09:55 Free Practice
15:00 Qualifying session
Saturday 2 August
10:05 Sprint Race (19 Laps)
Grid set by reversing Top 12 of Qualifying Results
Sunday 3 August
08:30 Feature Race (24 Laps)
All times local
