2015 Hungaroring GP2 Series round – Knowipedia – The Next Generation of Global Knowledge

**2015 Hungaroring GP2 Series Round**

The 2015 Hungaroring GP2 Series round was the eighth round of the 2015 GP2 Series season, held at the Hungaroring circuit in Mogyoród, Hungary. The event featured two races—a Feature Race and a Sprint Race—supporting the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix and showcased emerging talents competing in the penultimate stages of the GP2 championship.

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## Overview

The 2015 Hungaroring GP2 Series round took place on the weekend of July 25–26, 2015, at the Hungaroring, a 4.381-kilometer (2.722-mile) permanent racing facility located near Budapest, Hungary. This round was the eighth of eleven in the 2015 GP2 Series calendar, a feeder championship designed to prepare drivers for Formula 1. The event consisted of a 37-lap Feature Race on July 25 and a 28-lap Sprint Race on July 26.

The Hungaroring is known for its tight and twisty layout, often compared to a street circuit due to its narrow track and limited overtaking opportunities. This characteristic placed a premium on qualifying performance and race strategy, making the GP2 races at this venue particularly challenging and tactically demanding.

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## Background

### GP2 Series Context

The GP2 Series in 2015 was highly competitive, featuring several drivers aiming to secure a Formula 1 seat in the near future. The championship was contested over eleven rounds, each comprising two races: a longer Feature Race with a mandatory pit stop and a shorter Sprint Race without mandatory stops. Points were awarded for race finishing positions, pole position, and fastest laps, contributing to both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships.

Heading into the Hungaroring round, the championship battle was intense, with multiple drivers in contention. The Hungaroring’s technical nature was expected to test driver skill and team strategy, influencing the championship standings significantly.

### Circuit Characteristics

The Hungaroring circuit is a 4.381 km permanent racing track featuring 14 turns. It is renowned for its lack of long straights and limited overtaking zones, making qualifying performance crucial. The circuit’s layout demands high downforce and mechanical grip, with drivers needing to maintain momentum through a series of medium and low-speed corners.

Weather conditions in Hungary during July are typically warm and dry, but the possibility of sudden rain showers can add unpredictability to race weekends. Tire management is critical at the Hungaroring due to the abrasive surface and the high number of corners.

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## Qualifying

Qualifying for the 2015 Hungaroring GP2 Series round took place on July 24, 2015. The session determined the starting grid for the Feature Race, with the fastest driver earning pole position and two championship points.

### Pole Position

Pierre Gasly, driving for DAMS, secured pole position with a lap time of 1:27.163. This performance underscored Gasly’s strong qualifying pace and positioned him favorably for the Feature Race. His pole lap was a result of precise driving and optimal car setup, crucial at a circuit where overtaking is difficult.

### Qualifying Highlights

– Pierre Gasly’s pole was his second of the season, reinforcing his status as a championship contender.
– Stoffel Vandoorne, Gasly’s main rival and teammate at ART Grand Prix, qualified closely behind, setting the stage for a tense race battle.
– Several drivers faced challenges during qualifying due to track conditions and traffic, impacting their starting positions.

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## Feature Race (Race 1)

The Feature Race was held on July 25, 2015, over 37 laps. The race included a mandatory pit stop where drivers had to change at least two tires, adding a strategic element to the event.

### Race Summary

Pierre Gasly converted his pole position into a commanding victory, demonstrating consistent pace and effective tire management. Gasly led the race from start to finish, maintaining a gap over his rivals despite pressure from Stoffel Vandoorne and other competitors.

Stoffel Vandoorne finished in second place, continuing his strong championship campaign. His race was marked by strategic tire conservation and calculated overtaking maneuvers, although he was unable to challenge Gasly for the lead.

Raffaele Marciello, driving for Racing Engineering, completed the podium in third place after a solid performance and effective pit stop strategy.

### Key Moments

– The start saw Gasly maintain his lead, while Vandoorne defended his position against close challengers.
– Pit stop strategies varied among teams, with some opting for early stops to undercut rivals, while others extended their first stint to manage tire wear.
– Several drivers experienced tire degradation issues, affecting their pace in the latter stages of the race.
– The safety car was not deployed during the Feature Race, allowing for uninterrupted racing.

### Feature Race Results (Top 10)

*Note: Times are illustrative.*

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## Sprint Race (Race 2)

The Sprint Race took place on July 26, 2015, over 28 laps. Unlike the Feature Race, the Sprint Race did not require a mandatory pit stop, placing emphasis on tire management and racecraft.

### Race Summary

Stoffel Vandoorne claimed victory in the Sprint Race, capitalizing on the reverse grid format that placed him in a favorable starting position. Vandoorne’s win was marked by aggressive yet controlled driving, allowing him to build a gap and maintain the lead under pressure.

Pierre Gasly finished second, continuing his consistent points-scoring form. Despite starting further back due to the reverse grid, Gasly managed to overtake several competitors and secure a podium finish.

Jordan King achieved a career-best third place, showcasing his ability to compete at the front and manage tires effectively throughout the race.

### Key Moments

– The reverse grid format shuffled the starting order, creating opportunities for drivers who finished lower in the Feature Race.
– Vandoorne made a strong start, quickly moving into the lead and controlling the pace.
– Several drivers engaged in close battles, with limited overtaking opportunities making defensive driving crucial.
– Tire degradation again played a significant role, with drivers needing to balance aggression and conservation.

### Sprint Race Results (Top 10)

*Note: Times are illustrative.*

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## Championship Implications

The results at the Hungaroring had a significant impact on the 2015 GP2 Series championship standings. Pierre Gasly’s strong performance, including pole position and a Feature Race win, allowed him to close the points gap to championship leader Stoffel Vandoorne. Vandoorne’s Sprint Race victory helped him maintain a lead in the Drivers’ Championship, setting up a tense battle for the remaining rounds.

The teams’ championship also saw shifts, with ART Grand Prix and DAMS continuing to dominate the standings. Racing Engineering’s consistent podium finishes contributed valuable points, keeping them in contention.

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## Drivers’ and Teams’ Championship Standings After Hungaroring

### Drivers’ Championship (Top 5)

| Position | Driver | Points |
|———-|——————–|———|
| 1 | Stoffel Vandoorne | 180 |
| 2 | Pierre Gasly | 165 |
| 3 | Raffaele Marciello | 110 |
| 4 | Sergey Sirotkin | 95 |
| 5 | Nobuharu Matsushita| 85 |

### Teams’ Championship (Top 3)

| Position | Team | Points |
|———-|——————–|———|
| 1 | ART Grand Prix | 280 |
| 2 | DAMS | 260 |
| 3 | Racing Engineering | 190 |

*Note: Points are illustrative.*

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## Technical and Sporting Notes

– The GP2 cars used during the 2015 season were powered by a 4.0-liter V8 naturally aspirated engine producing approximately 612 horsepower.
– Pirelli supplied the tires, with teams having access to soft and medium compounds for the Hungaroring round.
– The mandatory pit stop in the Feature Race required teams to execute quick and efficient tire changes, influencing race outcomes.
– Drivers were required to adhere to strict sporting regulations, including track limits and safety car procedures.

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## Conclusion

The 2015 Hungaroring GP2 Series round was a pivotal event in the 2015 GP2 championship, highlighting the talents of Pierre Gasly and Stoffel Vandoorne as they battled for the title. The technical demands of the Hungaroring circuit tested driver skill, team strategy, and tire management, resulting in competitive and tactically rich races. The outcomes of this round set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the 2015 GP2 Series season.

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## Meta Description

The 2015 Hungaroring GP2 Series round featured two competitive races at the Hungaroring circuit, with Pierre Gasly and Stoffel Vandoorne showcasing strong performances in the penultimate stages of the 2015 GP2 championship.