Hamilton expecting ‘train race’ in Hungary due to overheating F1 tyres

Lewis Hamilton believes overheating issues with Formula 1’s Pirelli tyres will result in a “train race” at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. 

Drivers struggled throughout Friday practice in hot conditions in Budapest and experienced overheating issues, with Hamilton seen running wide and locking up his tyres on a number of occasions. 

The new championship leader, who ended up with the fifth-quickest time in both sessions, reported his tyres were “terrible” after suffering a wayward moment at the chicane during FP1. 

“I imagine in the race it’s going to be train race. There’s not going to be any cars overtaking in this race. That’s just how it is,” Hamilton explained. 

“It’s the temperature and it’s the type of track it is, it’s just corner after corner after corner, so there’s no time for the tyres to cool down.”

Hamilton’s concerns echoed Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg’s fears that tyre management will force drivers to “hold back” in Sunday’s race. 

The Briton went as far as suggesting a new tyre should be introduced for the race that is specifically designed to cope with the higher temperatures and characteristics of the Hungaroring.  

“It’s almost like for this track, they need to make special tyres, probably for different circuits that are more severe on the tyres to enable you to keep pushing and remain close to other cars,” he said. 

“You need a tyre that doesn’t overheat because at the moment, just on your own, it overheats.”