Hungarian Grand Prix

History

The Hungarian Grand Prix first ran on June 21, 1936, using a 3.1-mile course set up in Budapest's Népliget park. Three cars each came from Mercedes-Benz, Auto Union, and the Alfa Romeo-powered Ferrari squad, and the event pulled in a huge audience. But political shifts and the war that followed shut down Grand Prix racing in Hungary for half a century. Bernie Ecclestone pulled off a major achievement with the 1986 Hungarian Grand Prix, which became the first Formula One race held behind the Iron Curtain.

Hungaroring

It took place on the tight, winding Hungaroring in Mogyoród, near Budapest, and has stayed on the calendar ever since. That debut race attracted 200,000 spectators, even though tickets were pricey. These days, the crowd remains lively, especially with Finnish fans; locals account for only ten percent of attendees, while most come from Germany. The trophies come from Herendi Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt., each one handmade over about six months and costing €40,000.

The track is narrow, twisty, and often dusty from limited use, which leads to processional races where cars line up nose-to-tail without passing. Thierry Boutsen showed this in 1990, holding his slower Williams ahead of championship leader Ayrton Senna, who couldn't get past. Pit strategy often decides the outcome; in 1998, Michael Schumacher's Ferrari team switched his plan mid-race, and he built a winning gap after all pit stops were done. Overtaking is uncommon, but the 1989 race saw Nigel Mansell in the Ferrari charge from 12th on the grid, passing car after car, and taking the lead when Ayrton Senna got blocked by a slower driver.

The circuit got minor changes in 2003 to encourage more passing. Other memorable moments include first Grand Prix wins for Damon Hill (1993), Fernando Alonso (2003, Spain's first winner and the youngest at the time), Jenson Button (2006, in a chaotic race), Heikki Kovalainen (2008, the 100th World Championship race winner), Esteban Ocon (2021), and Oscar Piastri (2024). In 1997, Damon Hill nearly won in the underdog Arrows-Yamaha, but his car lost drive on the final lap, forcing him to coast into second.

In 2014, Lewis Hamilton took third, six seconds behind winner Daniel Ricciardo, even though he started from the pit lane.