1986 Hungarian Grand Prix

Lore & Background

It was the first Hungarian Grand Prix since 1936, and the first-ever Formula One race to be held behind the Iron Curtain. The race was attended by 200,000 spectators from across the Eastern Bloc; this stood as a record for a Formula One race for nearly a decade, until 210,000 attended the 1995 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide. The race was notable for the battle between fierce Brazilian rivals Nelson Piquet in his Williams-Honda and Ayrton Senna in his Lotus-Renault. Piquet, after an unsuccessful attempt on the previous lap, managed to pass the Lotus driver around the outside as they went into the first corner, on opposite lock. He also came in for some criticism following the race, especially in the British press, as he had allegedly neglected to tell his team-mate Nigel Mansell about the benefits of a new differential which provided better grip on the slippery, dusty surface (however, it later came to light that Mansell had in fact tried the new diff in practice but had preferred the older one).

In Their Own Story

The air hung heavy over the Hungaroring as the grid lined up under the Hungarian sun. Nelson Piquet sat in his FW11, the Honda engine humming with potential energy. As the lights went out, he surged forward, navigating the chaotic first lap with the calm of a veteran. The track was a blur of asphalt and tire smoke, but Piquet's focus remained unbroken on the road ahead.

Reader's Guide

The race was won by Piquet, ahead of Senna. Mansell finished 3rd and a lap down in his Williams with Stefan Johansson (Ferrari), Johnny Dumfries (Lotus) and Martin Brundle (Tyrrell-Renault) rounding out the points finishers. Defending World Champion Alain Prost qualified 3rd in his McLaren-TAG, an accident on lap 23 saw him as a non-finisher in what was his 100th Grand Prix start.

Did You Know?

• The race was the first Formula One race held behind the Iron Curtain.
• 200,000 spectators attended, a record for Formula One until 1995.
• Nelson Piquet won driving a Williams-Honda, ahead of Ayrton Senna in a Lotus-Renault.
• Alain Prost's 100th Grand Prix start ended with an accident on lap 23.