Formula 1

Hungarian GP: Ferrari race notes

Hungarian GP - Race Jean Todt: "Obviously, we leave Budapest very disappointed. We had a great opportunity within our grasp and it slipped through our fingers. It was a very unusual and difficult weekend for the main contenders in ...

Published: Aug 7, 2006, 2:15 PM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Hungarian GP - Race

Jean Todt:

"Obviously, we leave Budapest very disappointed. We had a great opportunity within our grasp and it slipped through our fingers. It was a very unusual and difficult weekend for the main contenders in the championship. Only Felipe got to the finish, picking up a point which at least serves to slightly reduce the gap in the Constructors' championship."

"The changing weather affected the behaviour of our package. In the first part, we were not competitive, but then the situation changed in our favour. With just a few laps to go it looked as though we were going to get a good result with Michael, especially given that our closest rival had retired."

"Our driver was trying to defend his position on normal rain tyres on a track that had dried, against rivals who were on dry weather tyres and were therefore much quicker than him. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken track rod and had to retire."

"With hindsight, it is easy to say that this situation could have been avoided, but there is no point in crying over spilt milk. There is not much to take home from this grand prix, but we know we have a very competitive package, which means we are very much aware that we can still take the title fight down to the wire in both championships."

Felipe Massa:

"A very difficult race for us, in what was pretty much a lottery. Given how things went, especially in the first part of the race, a point is still something and at least it helps us close the gap in the Constructors' classification. In the wet we were not totally competitive, both on normal and extreme wets."

"However, as the track began to dry, we began to run very strongly, even more so as soon as I fitted the dry weather tyres, to such an extent that I set the fastest race lap. We have a very competitive package and we will fight right to the end of the championship, starting at the next race in Istanbul."

Michael Schumacher:

"Of course, I am very disappointed. We had a great opportunity but we did not take it. All weekend and especially the race was something of a rollercoaster and in the end, we found ourselves back where we started, although with one less race to go. The track rod broke as Heidfeld went past. We touched, partly because the track was still a bit slippery. These things happen."

"Did we take a risk staying out on track with intermediate tyres and in the fight with my rivals? That's the way I am. I always want to fight for the top which is why I have won so often. There are still five races to go. Nothing is yet lost and I will give it my all in trying to win the title."

Ross Brawn:

"We had a great opportunity this weekend and we were unable to make the most of it. It's true that, when you look at what happened in the race, the outcome could have been much worse, but it is still hard to swallow."

"Felipe brought home one welcome point but it does not lessen our disappointment. The first part of the race was very difficult, because we were unable to maintain a good enough pace, but as the track began to dry, then things changed. We were then the quickest cars on track and the arrival of the safety car had closed up the gaps, offering us the chance of a good result."

"In the final stages, we decided to leave Michael out on track on standard rain tyres, because we hoped we could hang on to a good position. Unfortunately, in a duel with Heidfeld, a track rod broke. We have five races ahead of us and all the necessary potential to reach our goals."

Felipe Massa: 8th
+ 1 lap, 69 laps
Chassis: 252

Michael Schumacher: Retired lap 67
67 laps
Chassis: 254

-ferrari-

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Hungarian GP: Williams race notes

Next article Standings after Hungarian GP (REVISED)

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

Did Kyle Larson win the NASCAR Cup or has Denny Hamlin lost it?

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

1 min

Did Kyle Larson win the NASCAR Cup or has Denny Hamlin lost it?

F1 Mexico GP: Lando Norris tops final practice by 0.001s from Kimi Antonelli

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

20 min

F1 Mexico GP: Lando Norris tops final practice by 0.001s from Kimi Antonelli

Brad Keselowski increased RFK ROI, free to pursue next opportunity

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

1 h

Brad Keselowski increased RFK ROI, free to pursue next opportunity

When Red Bull expects to start using its long-awaited new F1 wind tunnel

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

1 h

When Red Bull expects to start using its long-awaited new F1 wind tunnel

Feature

Discover prime content

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Mexico GP

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Mexico GP

What’s the state of play at F1’s smallest team?

Formula 1

By Jake Boxall-Legge

What’s the state of play at F1’s smallest team?

Is history really repeating itself? What Christian Horner’s Adrian Newey claim says about Aston Martin and Red Bull

Formula 1

By Ronald Vording

Is history really repeating itself? What Christian Horner’s Adrian Newey claim says about Aston Martin and Red Bull

The one aspect of the 2026 US GP that should be a blueprint for F1 2027

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

The one aspect of the 2026 US GP that should be a blueprint for F1 2027

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts