What to watch for in Budapest

The FIA Formula 2 campaign returns for Round 3 at the Hungaroring in Budapest, but what should you be watching out for this weekend?

THE TITLE FIGHT

With no clear leader in the race for the title, could Budapest give us a glimpse of which drivers may pull away in the battle for the crown? Robert Shwartzman currently tops the pile after his Feature Race win in Round 2, but having endured a DNF on the Sunday, his lead is a slender five points.

Christian Lundgaard and Callum Ilott sit joint second with a win a piece themselves. Both have been consistent in the opening races, but need to be ruthless if they are to translate their early form into a title challenge.

QUALIFYING WILL BE KEY

Qualifying is king in Budapest. The Hungaroring is notoriously difficult to overtake on, making the starting positions even more important than normal for the races.

So far this season, Yuki Tsunoda has looked to be the quickest man around one lap, scoring first in both Free Practice sessions, as well as pole in Round 2.

UNI-Virtuosi pairing Guanyu Zhou and Ilott have also been right up there in Qualifying and will expect a similarly strong showing in Hungary.

WILL EXPERIENCE COME TO THE FORE?

So far, the rookies have ruled the roost in F2, and occupy four of the top five positions in the standings. Can the experienced drivers on the grid hit back in Round 3?

The likes of Zhou, Ilott and Mick Schumacher have all looked solid so far, but need to find a little bit more this weekend if they are to stay in the hunt for the Championship.

Don’t rule out Louis Delétraz, Jack Aitken or Nobuharu Matsushita either, who all know the track extremely well from past years.

DAMS LOVE BUDAPEST

DAMS have never failed to win in Hungary in the modern era of the F2 Championship. Last season, it was Nicholas Latifi who claimed an emphatic Feature Race win. In 2018, it was Alex Albon, and in 2017, Oliver Rowland.

Having come so close in Round 2, narrowly losing out to Christian Lundgaard in the Sprint, could this be the weekend where Dan Ticktum earns his first victory in F2?