The Hungarian Grand Prix is always an important date in the Formula 1 calendar. It has produced so many memorable races over the years, and the Hungaroring track on which it is held has a fascinating history. We thought we would dedicate this article to exploring the story of this twisty, exhilarating and unpredictable track – one of the most fun circuits in sport.
Hungaroring History
The year was 1985 and Bernie Ecclestone had an idea. As the Cold War was beginning to thaw, he thought it was the perfect time to attempt something that had seemed impossible for decades – to hold a Grand Prix race behind the Iron Curtain.
Naturally, his first instinct was to aim for the USSR, but a friend of his told him to consider looking at Budapest in Hungary. There was already a circuit in the city – a street circuit in Népliget Park, but the Hungarian government decided that a new purpose-built facility would be the best way to go, so in October 1985, work began.
Just 9 months later, it was ready to host an event – the quickest time that a Formula 1 venue has ever been constructed. On the 24th March 1986, the Hungaroring circuit hosted its first race and in August that year it was the venue for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
What is the Hungaroring circuit like?
The Hungaroring circuit is unlike anything else in Formula 1. It has been built in a valley, a natural bowl, which offers a range of challenging, and exciting, conditions for the drivers. The bumpy terrain, coupled with the twisty nature of the track, means that it is quite slow for a Formula 1 circuit, but that just adds to the drama.
A key feature of the track is a number of long turns followed, which are usually followed by a short straight, all culminating in the main straight – which is where most of the spectators will be seated.
As the Hungarian Grand Prix takes place at the height of summer, it is usually very hot as well. This means that it gets quite dusty, with the sandy soil covering the track. This gets worse as the race weekend goes on, and so you usually find that you’ll see quicker times during the qualifying session than during the race itself.
The circuit length for the track is 4.381 km, which is on the shorter side for a Formula 1 track. Lewis Hamilton holds the track record for a lap, with 1:16.627 in 2020.
Memorable Moments on the Hungaroring circuit
There have been so many great moments in Hungary over the years. Back at the first Grand Prix on the Hungaroring circuit in 1986, when Nelson Piquet beat Ayrton Senna in the ‘Battle of the Brazilians’. Piquet returned the following year to win again, overtaking the unfortunate Nigel Mansell who lost a wheel nut when leading with just six laps to go.
Mansell would go on to have much happier memories at Hungaroring, though, when he clinched the World Championship there in 1992. It’s been a popular track for Britons over the years – Jenson Button finally broke his duck there in 2006, having started 14th on the grid, and Lewis Hamilton won there in 2009 – the first ever victory for a car using hybrid technology and his second victory on the track.
Maybe this balances out the rotten luck that Damon Hill suffered in 1997 – in his much-maligned arrows car he nearly did the unthinkable and won a Grand Prix, only for a hydraulic pump to fail in his car on the final lap, meaning he had to coast to a second place behind Jacques Villeneuve.
Michael Schumacher, in 1998, produced a tactical masterclass by opting for three pit stops, rather than two, to claim victory and put him back in the running for the Championship.
How to get tickets for the Hungarian Grand Prix
If you would like to be there in person to witness the Hungarian GP, then we can help. Our ticket and hotel break will guarantee your place at the Hungaroring circuit and in the Hungarian sun this year. You’ll get three nights in one of our handpicked hotels, a weekend admission ticket, plus coach transfers to and from the venue.
With its close proximity to Budapest, the Hungaroring circuit is one of the best for a weekend to remember. If you would like to find out more about our packages, call us now on 0333 2309115 or speak to us today.
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