2008 Hungarian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Hamilton leads on 58 points. Massa is second on 54, Räikkönen third on 51. Kubica fourth on 48, Heidfeld fifth on 41. Ferrari lead the Constructors’ on 105 points, McLaren third on 82, BMW Sauber second on 89.

Previous race

Hamilton won in Germany for consecutive victories, his first back-to-back wins of the season. Piquet Jr. finished second and Massa third. Räikkönen sixth and Kubica seventh.

Between-race developments

Testing ran at Jerez from 22 to 25 July. Vettel was fastest on each of the first two days, Webber topped day three, and Kovalainen was quickest on the fourth and final day. Several teams used Bridgestone slick tyres in preparation for their return in 2009. BMW Sauber tested a Kinetic Energy Recovery System, also for next season. Force India’s test driver Liuzzi ran the team’s new seamless-shift gearbox.

At Maranello during the week before the race, a meeting between teams resulted in the formation of a new representative body, the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), led by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo. McLaren principal Ron Dennis said the body would give teams a greater voice in framing regulations and act as a counterweight to the FIA and FOM.

McLaren confirmed that Kovalainen will remain alongside Hamilton for the 2009 season. The organisers of the Hungarian Grand Prix have signed a new deal to continue hosting the race until 2016.

Car upgrades

Ferrari have altered the F2008’s cooling system and bodywork after high brake wear and engine water temperatures in Germany. McLaren and Force India both bring revised aerodynamic packages. Force India also debut their seamless-shift gearbox in race conditions. Ferrari, Honda and Toyota debut raised engine covers — nicknamed “shark fins” for their reach toward the rear wing. Honda introduce a new rear suspension package.

Practice

Massa set the fastest time in FP1 (1:20.981), Räikkönen close behind; Kovalainen and Hamilton were third and fourth. Vettel suffered a hydraulics problem and completed only four timed laps, ending last. Hamilton was quickest in FP2 at 1:20.554 with Piquet Jr. second — the Renaults were running slightly lighter than normal. Räikkönen and Massa were fifth and sixth, separated by one-thousandth of a second; Vettel had only five laps again due to the same hydraulics issue. Hamilton led the Saturday session at 1:20.228, ahead of Massa, Glock, Kovalainen and Piquet Jr. Kubica suffered a mechanical problem and was restricted to 18th.