BMW WilliamsF1 Hungarian GP Preview

The 2004 Hungarian Grand Prix will cover 70 laps (a total of 306.663kms) and starts on Sunday 15th August 2004 at 14:00 hrs local time.

For the Hungarian Grand Prix, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team will again field Antonio Pizzonia to deputise for Ralf Schumacher, whose convalescence continues well, although prudence dictates he will miss both the Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix.

Montoya and Pizzonia's FW26 race cars will also appear visually distinct in Hungary, with a revised, and more "traditional", nose profile which has been validated as an improved geometry in relation to the other aerodynamic improvements released at recent races. The change represents the constant aero evolution of the FW26, and the redoubled commitment to drive competitive margin into the car for the final third of the season.

Antonio Pizzonia:
"I am obviously very pleased to be racing again and I thank the team for trusting me again. I went back to Brazil after the German Grand Prix to see my family and friends and had really a good time. In Manaus, I trained a lot in the heat, usually at lunchtime, when the temperature goes up to 35°C, in order to prepare for Hungary's hot weather conditions. I feel fit and am looking forward to hopefully scoring some more points for the team. I like the Hungaroring, as it's quite a different track from the rest of the Formula One circuits. It's a bit tricky, with a lot of slow speed corners, and is extremely dirty, mostly on Friday and Saturday. Budapest is a great city so, all in all, I am really looking forward to the next Grand Prix."

Juan Pablo Montoya:
"The summer break was a good chance for some time off. I went back to Colombia and really managed to take a break. Now I am ready to face the last part of this season, where we really need to collect as many points as we can for our Championship position.

I'm always happy to go to Budapest, as I really like the city. However, the Hungaroring is still not one of my favourite tracks, despite the improved layout following the changes made the year before last. The start/finish straight was made wider and some other parts were extended which has made the track a bit longer. However, it is still too twisty, narrow and slow, like a kart track. You don't need much power at the Hungaroring, but you do need downforce and, as a driver, you must find a good rhythm. As well as this, starting position and strategy both play very important roles as overtaking is very difficult. Outside the racing line, the track is very dirty and dusty and offers low grip. In the last few years I always started on that side so I?m hoping this year will be different!"

Frank Williams:
"Partly because of the customary great heat, I think Hungary is a circuit which presents and creates an enormous amount of hard work from the moment you arrive to the moment you depart. We all know the rules for Hungary, we must be on the front row of the grid because it is a very difficult circuit to pass on, so all our concentration will be on providing a car that can do that.

The team will present its cars in Hungary with some aero modifications, including a return to a more conventional nose and front wing solution. Sadly, we have been informed by Ralf's management that he will be unable to participate in either this race in Hungary, or two weeks later in Belgium. In the meantime, the team is nominating its reserve driver, Antonio Pizzonia, to replace him."

Dr Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
"Like Ralf, we too had hoped he would be driving for us in Hungary, but his full recovery naturally takes precedence. Antonio raced well on his debut for the team at Hockenheim and, with his increasing Grand Prix experience, he will gain in confidence and steadily improve his performance.

In terms of full throttle ratio and engine speed, the relatively slow Hungaroring is not especially challenging for the BMW P84 engine, but the power units are usually subjected to extreme loads in this race. Cooling air is at a premium due, on the one hand, to the high air temperatures and a build-up of heat in the area. On the other hand, there are not enough long straights for the engines to recover. Sand blowing in from the surrounding locality always causes traction problems but it does not pose any real hazard for the engines."