No sooner had the BMW Sauber F1.06 cars returned to the pits after the Hockenheim GP than they were being packed up ready to set out in the early hours of Monday morning on their 1,000-kilometre journey east to Budapest, where the 13th of 18 World Championship races takes place this coming Sunday. The German and Hungarian Grands Prix are the fourth of a total of five back-to-back pairs of races in the 2006 Formula One season.

This coupling could hardly be more of a contrast: whereas the Hockenheimring is renowned as an engine circuit, the full-throttle ratio on the tight and twisty Hungaroring is the second lowest of the season, and it demands maximum downforce.

Nick Heidfeld’s home race didn’t last more than a few laps yesterday afternoon after he was forced to retire due to damage done on the opening lap, however he enjoys racing at the Hungaroring and is hoping for a stronger outcome.

“I really enjoy Hungary. I like the Hungaroring and I like Budapest. It’s a wonderful old town with beautiful old buildings and there’s always something going on there. Budapest is a good place for going out and for eating. It was on the Hungaroring in 1999 that I claimed an early title win in Formula 3000, and we certainly celebrated that in true style,” he said.

“That’s something I like to think back on, naturally. After Monaco, the circuit is the slowest on the Formula One calendar. It has a lot of turns and hardly any straights. The circuit layout in itself makes driving there a strain, and at this time of year it tends to be very hot in Budapest. Away from the racing line the circuit is always really dirty and it’s easy to lose time. It’s extremely difficult to overtake there.”