The Hungaroring circuit just outside of Budapest has been on the official F1 calendar for 35+ years now, and it’s in all the games as well. It’s tight, twisty, technical track that is hard to get right lap after lap, and it presents unique challenges in league racing.
This circuit has often been referred to as “Monaco without the barriers”, and you’re using comparable levels of downforce here because of all the high and low speed cornering sections here. All setups round here must run very high to maximum downforce here to work effectively.
Here’s a general baseline dry race setup for Hungary for a controller user:
- Wings – 46/48
- Diff – 50/55
- Camber – -2.80/-1.00/0.04/0.19
- Suspension – 30-8-8-1-35-37
- Brakes – 100 Pressure/55 Bias
- Tyre pressures – Fronts 22.4/Rears 20.0
This setup is partially adapted from the excellent SimRacingSetups channel, but modded for a pad user as wheel users don’t always translate over to pad users in terms of car setup, and some tweaking is required.
At this track you need good traction and a stable car on turn-in to prolonged corners, so these are the two things to prioritize for longer races.
More Detailed Setup Considerations
Here’s a few extra thoughts and explanations for the Hungary setup we’ve provided.
Wing levels
You’re running maximum wings or close to it around this track. I’ve had good results using both 46/48 and 48/50 wings round here. But it’s usually advised to opt for slightly lower wings on this game when you have the option, as this tends to come back to you over longer races and deliver better pace and overtaking/defending ability.
My default is currently 46/48 wings, with that 2 click spacing especially for pad users because of how sensitive the steering is on this game when using a controller. Dropping it 2 clicks down from the 48/50 setting gives me a load more speed in Sector 1.
Qualifying vs Race
Specifically for Quali, I like to pull the front wing up one click and use 47/48 or 49/50 for better turn in and one lap pace. But I put the wings back to 46/48 for the race, as it’s easier to control traction over longer stints.
Over-rotation is the enemy on F1 23 when using a pad, so space your wings apart to avoid this, especially as rear tyres start to wear over longer races.
Intermediate Conditions
Rain is not uncommon around Hungary, which makes it even more tricky because it’s such a traction heavy circuit.
If you’re not already running maximum wings, increase them to that, but also be sure to keep the 2 click spacing and possibly even bump it up to 3 clicks for a pad, for more stability and to stop over-rotation. I’d use 47/50 or 48/50 on a controller in light rain conditions.
Full Wet Conditions
Same as for inter conditions, I’d use 47/50, with the 3 click spacing necessary for easier traction and stability when using a pad. Over-rotation is what does for you in wet conditions when using a controller – you need wing spacing that allows you to get back on the throttle smoothly.
Also, soften your suspension and reduce your ride height a few clicks, and definitely use 50 On Throttle Diff if not already for easiest traction.
Here would be the full wet controller setup I’d use at Hungary:
- Wings 47/50
- Diff – 50/55
- Camber – -2.50/-1.00/0.00/0.10
- Suspension – 25-6-6-1-38-41
- Brakes – 95 Pressure/55 Bias
- Tyre pressures – Fronts 22.2/Rears minimum
It can also be useful to turn the ERS deployment down to None to help with traction out of slow corners in full wet conditions round here.
Extra Setup Resources
The Hungaroring is a really tricky, technical circuit to get a setup dialled in that works perfectly for you. Plus, my setups are definitely not optimized for single lap pace, but more for stability and consistency in longer races.
If you’re looking for more Hungary race setups, check out these resources:
- F1laps.com Hungary page– Another car setup forum with pages for every track, and loads of custom setups posted, both TT and race, all cars, all conditions.
- F1gamesetup.com – An even more specialized resource with custom setups, every car and every track, wet and dry weather.
Bonus Tips For Racing Here
Here are some more tips and best practices for racing at Hungary.
ERS – Because of the high wing levels used here, ERS depletes very quickly, even more so than normal on this game. Be very patient and sparing with it, since it’s basically impossible to recoup it once spent in a stock online/GP car. Career mode is a bit easier once you’ve upgraded your ERS components, but it’s very tricky in other game modes.
Fuel – I don’t know whether it’s just my driving style, but I also find out that Hungary uses an insane amount of fuel. I have to massively over-fuel my car here – 1-1.5 laps more than normal. Perhaps it’s because you’re still staying partially on the throttle even in a lot of the cornering sections. There aren’t many parts of the lap where you’re fully off throttle for long.
Track Position – Overtaking is difficult and track position is crucial around Hungary, so the “undercut” – where you pit early and make use of fresh tyres to jump cars in front – is quite powerful. Tyre deg is quite high so the benefit of fresh tyres is strong – consider pitting 1-3 laps early to jump a bunch of cars at the pit-stops, and then defend your position from there.
