2002 Hungarian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Schumacher holds 106 points. Montoya is second on 40, Ralf Schumacher tied with Montoya, Barrichello fourth on 38, Coulthard fifth on 34. Ferrari lead the Constructors’ Championship with 141 points; Williams are second on 76, McLaren third on 49.

Previous race

Schumacher won in Germany on the new Hockenheimring layout, his ninth victory of the season. Montoya and Ralf Schumacher completed the podium for Williams. Barrichello dropped to fourth after a 21-second pit stop caused by a fuel flap failure. Räikkönen’s left-rear tyre delaminated on lap 38 and shredded rear bodywork before he limped to the pits; he retired late with brake failure. The high temperature brought heavy attrition — nine of 21 starters finished.

Championship permutations

Ferrari can clinch the Constructors’ Championship here. If Ferrari outscore Williams by more than one point, the title is theirs with four races to spare.

Between-race developments

A three-week break followed Germany, and the teams agreed not to test during this period. Ferrari’s test driver Luca Badoer shook down three F2002 chassis at Fiorano; other teams used straight-line test venues for wind tunnel correlation only.

The Arrows team has collapsed financially. Following the German Grand Prix, Frentzen announced he was leaving Arrows due to the team’s uncertain future. The team folded several days later and will not take part in the remaining races. Frentzen has signed with Sauber for 2003.

Minardi has replaced Alex Yoong with Anthony Davidson — BAR’s test driver — for this race and the following Belgian Grand Prix, on a two-race contract. The team had planned to sign 2001 International Formula 3000 champion Justin Wilson, but Wilson was too tall to comply with FIA safety regulations requiring drivers to exit the car within five seconds.

Car upgrades

Ferrari brings traction control system updates. McLaren has delayed the debut of a revised rear axle already heavily tested. BAR debuts the final component of the 004’s aerodynamic upgrade package, a new front wing overseen by technical director Geoff Willis. Renault introduces a new qualifying engine and a new rear wing.

Practice

Four sessions in hot conditions, with heavy rain overnight before Saturday removing rubber from the circuit. Schumacher was fastest in all four sessions, and the only driver in the 1:14 range in the third session (1:14.329).

In Friday’s first session, Massa lost the rear at turn six’s chicane and beached in the gravel. Davidson’s driveshaft failed, locking the rear wheels, and he spun at turn six. In the second session, Coulthard spun and struck a high kerb, splitting his left-rear tyre from the rim; the engine overheated on his slow return. He blocked De la Rosa, who damaged his nose cone. Heidfeld lost control exiting turn four and hit the Armco barrier. Montoya got stuck in the gravel at turn nine in the final minute. Massa hit the turn four barrier, removing his rear wing.

In the third session, Button lost control at turn 11 and hit the tyre barrier. In the fourth session, Fisichella approached the turn two tyre wall but continued without damage.