What tyres will the teams and drivers have for the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix?

Formula 1 heads to Budapest for another edition of the Hungarian Grand Prix, and Pirelli have announced which tyres they will be supplying the field with over the weekend.

F1’s official tyre suppliers have brought the three softest compounds in their range to the Hungaroring, with teams able to choose from the C3 (hard tyre), C4 (medium tyre) and C5 (soft tyre).

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However, in an aim to improve sustainability, Pirelli will this weekend trial a new qualifying format, which will see the teams given 11 sets of tyres instead of 13.

This means that the teams will receive three sets of the white-marked hard tyres, four sets of the yellow-marked mediums, and just four sets of the red-marked softs. It is a change from what the drivers have become accustomed to, as usually they would be given two sets of hard tyres, three sets of mediums and eight sets of softs.

If the weather stays dry this weekend, the new qualifying format for the Hungarian GP means drivers will have to use hard tyres in Q1, mediums in Q2 and softs in Q3.

“The Hungarian Grand Prix has become a classic event of the Formula 1 summer season, and as such the air and asphalt temperatures, which are usually very high, are the main features,” said Pirelli Motorsport Director Mario Isola. “This puts the drivers, cars and tyres to the test, not least because the twisting nature of the track does not allow anyone or anything to catch their breath.

“There’s a fairly long pit straight, which provides the only real overtaking opportunity under braking into the first right-hand corner. Then there are 13 more corners – seven right-handers and six left-handers – on a circuit that is second only to Monte Carlo in terms of slowest average speed; to the extent that the cars use similar downforce settings to Monaco.

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“With so many slow corners, traction is one of the key factors for good performance and the biggest risk is tyre overheating. Despite being a permanent track, the Hungaroring is not used very often, and the asphalt conditions improve considerably during the weekend as the ideal racing line rubbers in.

“Usually, this race is all about strategy and tyre degradation. This year we have opted for a trio of softer compounds compared to 2022, while a new tyre allocation for qualifying will be tried out for the first time, with the obligation to use just the hard in Q1, medium in Q2 and soft in Q3 if conditions stay dry.

“Both these changes, at least on paper, should lead to a wider range of options, particularly in terms of strategy. The [Alternative Tyre Allocation] also saves two sets of dry tyres compared to the traditional format and it will be run again at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. After that, the FIA, F1 and the teams will decide whether or not to adopt it for next season.”

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This weekend’s action in Hungary will also feature both Formula 2 and Formula 3. Pirelli have allocated the yellow medium and red soft tyre to the F2 teams, while the F3 drivers are set to get their hands on a new medium compound tyre.

For more information about Pirelli’s F1 tyres, visit pirelli.com.