Williams is targeting a double-points finish in Hungary this weekend, the last race before F1’s well-deserved two-week summer break kicks in.
With rookie Lance Stroll’s series of recent breakthrough results and Felipe Massa’s consistent performance, and on a track where the Grove-based outfit has always done well, there’s no reason for Williams’ drivers to aim for anything less than a top-ten finish says tech boss Paddy Lowe.
“The track itself is tricky technically, requiring high downforce and great suspension characteristics,” explained Lowe in the team’s preview.
“Budapest is an extremely beautiful and interesting city. The combination of these attracts a great crowd over the weekend, not only from Hungary, but from many countries across Europe.
“From our point of view, we will do our very best to get another double points finish as we head into the summer break.”
Lance Stroll will appreciate once again the opportunity to race at a familiar venue, an advantage which undoubtedly eases his task on race weekends.
“This will be the third track in a row where I have raced before, and so I know what to expect,” says Stroll.
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“I was there last year in Formula 3 and had a podium position, so have some good memories. I think it is a great track, although, like Monaco, it is very narrow with lots of corners and not so many straights.
“Having said that, it is a track I like a lot, and that especially goes for the middle sector which is quite fast with a lot of left and right turns.
“It has been resurfaced recently, so the track is smooth. All in all it is a great circuit and Budapest is a cool city where I have had some fun.”
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The scene of his dramatic accident in 2009 which could have had fatal consequences, Hungary hasn’t always been kind to Felipe Massa but the Brazilian is still a big fan of the venue and its fans.
“It’s always a great pleasure to race in Hungary,” he insists.
“It’s a place that’s very important to me, because of the fans and because of everything that happened with my accident there.
“I have a lot of support from the people there. I love the place and always have a lot of pleasure to go back to Budapest to race.”
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