Alex Albon is ready to succeed in a private milestone on the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix: his a hundredth race with Atlassian Williams F1 Crew. Forward of the weekend, he shares his ideas on the milestone.
Alex Albon: „Hitting 100 races with this staff means quite a bit to me. It has been fairly a journey since I first joined, and it’s at all times good to suppose again on some recollections over time and I am happy with how far we have all come collectively. There’s nonetheless a lot extra I need to obtain with Williams and in F1, and this weekend is nearly doing the most effective job doable as regular and pushing for the most effective outcome we will get. Here is to the following 100.“
In the meantime, Paul Williams, Chief Trackside Engineer, appears on the technical components that may form the weekend.
What are the important thing technical challenges of the Hungaroring?Paul Williams: A downforce-dominated circuit – the Hungaroring is low-speed total, however the high-speed T8-11 part makes aerodynamic load the important thing efficiency differentiator this weekend, with energy and drag taking part in a a lot smaller function than at most venues
Tyre administration is vital – it is historically a demanding observe for the rear tyres, significantly in sizzling circumstances
How do the 2026 laws affect the strategy this weekend?PW: Budapest is a extra easy vitality administration circuit in comparison with Spa final weekend
It is the lowest energy-sensitive observe we have visited aside from Monaco
4 straight-line-mode zones have been added for 2026, all of which stay lively within the moist, albeit with delayed activation factors
What are the tyre challenges of the circuit?PW: Softest compound allocation, nicely suited to the excessive vitality density observe with a excessive traction bias, however results in rear overheating limitation and excessive put on
Qualifying: difficult to organize tyres over the quick lap, requiring cautious out-lap prep and site visitors administration
Grand Prix: a excessive degree of tyre saving is required, handiest in Sector 2 since overtaking elsewhere may be very tough. Tyres solely get thermal respite on the straight into Flip 1
What are the strategic issues for the race?PW: All compounds are appropriate race tyres, however medium and arduous are higher for lengthy stints – anticipate a mixture of tyre decisions throughout the sphere
We anticipate a 2-stop race with reasonable degradation, although a comparatively small 20% lower in tyre degradation could be sufficient to maneuver the sphere to a 1-stop
Third-hardest overtaking of the 12 months – overtaking may be very tough, significantly when the tyre benefit is small
SC and VSC chances are low, at 20% every
