For the race at the Hungaroring, F1 made adjustments to the regulations regarding tire distribution and limited each car to only 11 sets of Pirelli slick tires throughout the weekend. This also obligated the teams to use hard tires in Q1, medium tires in Q2, and soft tires in Q3.
Drivers expressed dissatisfaction with the limited allocation, resulting in a decrease in their running time. However, FP1 was somewhat less affected due to the availability of intermediate and wet tires, which helped minimize the impact on their permitted usage.
Sainz believed that he had become an unintended consequence of F1’s efforts to enhance qualifying, based on his responses to the ATA format trial.
I find the format intriguing during the qualifying session, but for the remainder of the weekend, it becomes quite monotonous and uninteresting.
On Wednesday, we reach this location to make all the necessary preparations. However, on Friday, instead of engaging with the fans, you end up spending a significant amount of time in the garage due to the unavailability of tires.
“Why go through the effort of having two one-hour practice sessions if there are no tires available to use? And why bother having Friday at all if we cannot run on tires, learn from the car and track, and entertain the fans?”
Certainly, there is a need for a review – either of the format or the allocation of tires. Addressing both simultaneously gives the impression of not fully committing to either task.
“I believe this is the result of attempting to add excitement. Today, I have faced the consequences of doing so. However, for Formula 1, if they desire to add some excitement, although I don’t believe it’s necessary, they can go ahead and shake things up a bit. That’s why I don’t complain about qualifying, but I do express more dissatisfaction with the free practice sessions.”
Lewis Hamilton, who secured pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix, concurred with Sainz’s evaluation that the impact on practice did not create an ideal environment for enjoyable entertainment for the spectators on Friday.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the consequences of the tire allocations had resulted in an intriguing qualifying session.
Max Verstappen agreed that the limited practice on Friday was not a favorable outcome of the ATA trial. He also expressed his disagreement with the notion that the session format did not require any modifications.
“I’m not entirely certain. I believe it wasn’t so much criticizing the ATA as it was simply being aware of the fans here. When we only have one set in the session, we have less time for running,” stated Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14
Photo by: Michael Potts / Motorsport Images
“When the rules were modified several years ago, reducing the number of sets in each session, it resulted in less running and a decreased amount of time on track.”
“I’m unsure if it was the optimal choice for Friday’s entertainment, but today’s events were certainly enjoyable. It was a great experience to begin on the hard surface during the first session and then switch to the medium. Overall, I found the qualifying session quite satisfying.”
Verstappen expressed his preference for the standard format and stated that he saw no issues with it.
“I cannot reword”
“I believe it is of greater significance, as Lewis mentioned on Friday, that we actively engage in running rather than passively remaining in the designated area. Individuals are investing substantial amounts of money to occupy seats in the grandstand, and it is not desirable to complete only a few laps.”
Fernando Alonso strongly opposed the decrease in the number of tyre sets, describing it as a “disaster.” He believed that the spectators were not getting enough on-track action during practice sessions.
Alonso clarified that it was peculiar, but not a significant issue. In my opinion, the major drawback of this structure is the inability to conduct tests due to tire conservation. I am not a supporter of this format. Witnessing cars not participating in free practice due to tire preservation was a catastrophe in my view.
I believe it had no positive impact on the show. I sympathize with the audience who purchased tickets for Friday’s events, including FP1, FP2, and FP3, only to find cars in the garage due to a lack of available tires for racing.
The drivers expressed their dissatisfaction, but there were only 26 laps less completed in the second practice of this year (531) compared to last year’s session (557).
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