Hungaroring

The Hungaroring is a 4.381 km (2.722 mi) motorsport racetrack in Mogyoród, Pest County, Hungary where the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix is held. In 1986,[1] it became the location of the first Formula One Grand Prix behind the Iron Curtain.[2] Bernie Ecclestone wanted a race in the USSR, but a Hungarian friend recommended Budapest. They wanted a street circuit similar to the Circuit de Monaco to be built in the Népliget[3] – Budapest's largest park – but the government decided to build a new circuit just outside the city[4] near a major highway. Construction works started on 1 October 1985. It was built in eight months, less time than any other Formula One circuit. The first race was held on 24 March 1986, in memory of János Drapál, the first Hungarian who won motorcycle Grand Prix races. According to a survey put together by the national tourism office of Hungary, Mogyoród ranks third among Hungarian destinations visited by tourists, behind the Danube Bend area and Lake Balaton, but ahead of Budapest.[5] The circuit has FIA Grade 1 license.[6]

Hungaroring

LocationMogyoród, Budapest, Hungary
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
Coordinates47°34′56″N 19°15′04″E
Capacity70,000
FIA Grade1
OperatorHungaroring Sport Zrt
Broke ground1 October 1985 (1985-10-01)
Opened24 March 1986 (1986-03-24)
ArchitectIstván Papp & Ferenc Gulácsi
Major eventsCurrent:
Formula One
Hungarian Grand Prix (1986–present)
FIA WTCR Race of Hungary (2011–2022)
European Truck Racing Championship (1988–1990, 2015–present)
FIA ETCR (2021–present)
International GT Open (2012, 2014, 2017–2018, 2020–present)
FIA F2
Budapest Formula 2 round (2017–2020, 2022)
FIA F3 (2019–present)
FREC (2019, 2022)
W Series (2021–present)
Euroformula Open (2014, 2017–present)

Future:
TCR Europe (2018–2019, 2023)
Former:
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix (1990, 1992)
ELMS 4 Hours of Hungaroring (2010, 2013)
24H Series 12 Hours of Hungary (2008–2011, 2013–2014, 2021)
GT World Challenge Europe (2016–2019)
DTM (2014, 2016–2018)
World SBK (1988–1990)
Sidecar World Championship
(1990, 1997, 2005, 2012)
Porsche Supercup (1993–2021)

FIA GT (1998–2001, 2006, 2009)
Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
Length4.381 km (2.722 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:16.627 ( Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W11, 2020, F1)
Modified Grand Prix Circuit (1989–2002)
Length3.975 km (2.466 miles)
Turns13
Race lap record1:16.207 ( Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2002, 2002, F1)
Original Grand Prix Circuit (1986–1988)
Length4.014 km (2.494 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:30.149 ( Nelson Piquet, Williams FW11B, 1987, F1)
Websitehungaroring.hu

Description
Satellite view of the Hungaroring in April 2018

The Grand Prix is held in the middle of summer, which is usually extremely hot and dry in this region. Its first wet Grand Prix race was in 2006. The circuit is normally dusty due to underuse throughout the rest of the year and its sandy soil. As the circuit is in a valley about 80 percent of it can be seen from any point.[7]

Normally, an underused circuit becomes faster over the weekend as the track surface gathers more rubber residue; however, with the Hungaroring this generally does not happen, because the track can get dusty so quickly. The track frequently becomes faster during a qualifying session, which leads competitors to try for their best lap as late as possible.

The twisty and bumpy nature of the circuit[8] makes overtaking very difficult in dry conditions, the circuit is nicknamed "Monaco without the buildings" for this reason. Nonetheless, the Hungaroring has been the scene of several memorable races such as the duels of Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell's win from 12th on the grid after a dramatic pass on Ayrton Senna in 1989, Damon Hill's almost victory with Arrows in 1997, and Michael Schumacher's change in strategy to beat the McLarens of Häkkinen and Coulthard in 1998.[9] More recently, it has seen events such as Jenson Button triumphing over Fernando Alonso in the wet in 2006, Daniel Ricciardo scything through the field from sixth on the grid in 2014, Lewis Hamilton's late overtake on Max Verstappen to take the win in 2019, and Alonso producing a defensive masterclass to deny Hamilton a chance of victory in 2021. Maiden wins at the track include Hill in 1993, Alonso in 2003, Button in 2006, Heikki Kovalainen in 2008, and Esteban Ocon in 2021.

The first change in the track's layout was carried out in 1989, when the chicane after the actual turn three (a temporary measure put in during construction due to the discovery of a spring where the direct route was due to run) was removed by culverting the stream. In 2003, the main straight (turn one, see diagram) was lengthened by roughly 200 m (220 yd) to 908 m (993 yd), and the hairpin at the end of the straight was also tightened in an attempt to facilitate more overtaking opportunities, as well as a tightening of what was turn 12.

Drivers
The differences between the 1989-2002 layout and current layout

Hungaroring has crowned two drivers in its 37-year history: both Nigel Mansell in 1992 and Michael Schumacher in 2001 were able to win the World Championship title. Moreover, the WilliamsF1 Team and Scuderia Ferrari also secured the Constructors' Championship at the Hungaroring, Williams in 1996 and Ferrari in 2001, 2002, and 2004.

Both Hungary's Zsolt Baumgartner and Poland's Robert Kubica made their debut on this track as the first F1 drivers of their countries.

The 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix was the first wet grand prix at the Hungaroring. This saw the retirement of many drivers including championship rivals Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher and gave Jenson Button and the reborn Honda F1 team their first win. Fernando Alonso also earned his first Grand Prix victory at this in 2003, declaring it his favourite track as a result.

According to statements and interviews, drivers have different opinions on the track. While many, like Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen[10] and Fernando Alonso claimed to love it, many others consider the track too slow, hot and demanding. The technical driving center of the Hungaroring held former racer Gerhard Berger's name from 1998 until 2005 but later it was changed to Allianz.

The track also has named curves: Turn 4 is named after Nigel Mansell, due to him losing a wheel there during the 1987 Hungarian Grand Prix. Turn 11 is named after Jean Alesi following his massive crash there during qualifying for the 1995 Hungarian Grand Prix.

On Saturday, 25 July 2009, in the second round of qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix at Hungaroring, Ferrari driver Felipe Massa's head was injured, though protected by his driver's helmet, he was struck by a suspension spring that had fallen from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car while driving at high speed. He was knocked unconscious, and subsequently crashed head-on into a tyre barrier. Massa was thereafter airlifted to the military hospital in Budapest, where he underwent surgery in the area surrounding his left eye. His condition was initially described as "life-threatening but stable", but improved rapidly. Massa was discharged from hospital the following week and returned to Brazil. After further tests it was decided that Massa needed a titanium plate inserted into his skull to strengthen it for racing in Formula One again.

Fans
Hungaroring – gate

While most of the foreign fans are from Germany[5] and Austria, the Hungaroring has traditionally seen a large influx of Finnish fans as well. With the loss of the Austrian Grand Prix in 2003, this became the closest Formula One event for fans from other Central European countries. However, the Austrian Grand Prix returned again in 2014. The 2006–2010 races saw many spectators from Poland due to the participation of Robert Kubica.

The contract is prolonged until 2027,[11] although profits from tobacco advertising have been cut from the equation since such advertising was banned in 2007.

The Hungaroring is the home of Hungarian motorsport. Besides Formula One, it has also hosted the DTM and FIA GT Championship races. Since 2011, it also hosts the races of WTCC and WTCR as FIA WTCC Race of Hungary, a public drag race event takes place every month.

Events
Current
  • April: TCR Eastern Europe Trophy
  • June: World Touring Car Cup FIA WTCR Race of Hungary, FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup, European Truck Racing Championship, Ferrari Challenge Europe
  • July: Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix, FIA Formula 2 Championship Budapest Formula 2 round, FIA Formula 3 Championship, W Series, International GT Open, Euroformula Open Championship, Formula Regional European Championship
  • August: Porsche Sprint Challenge Central Europe
Future
  • TCR Europe (2018–2019, 2023)
Former
  • 24H Series 12 Hours of Hungary (2008–2011, 2013–2014, 2021)
  • Auto GP (2006–2007, 2011–2015)
  • Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2014, 2016–2018)
  • Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (1988)
  • European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Hungaroring (2010, 2013)
  • European Super Touring Championship (2000–2001)
  • European Touring Car Cup (2015, 2017)
  • FIA Formula 3 European Championship (2014, 2016–2018)
  • FIA GT Championship (1998–2001, 2006, 2009)
  • Formula BMW Talent Cup (2012–2013)
  • Formula Renault Eurocup (2007–2015, 2017–2019)
  • French F4 Championship (2019, 2021)
  • GP2 Series Hungaroring GP2 round (2005–2016)
  • GP3 Series (2010–2018)
  • Grand Prix motorcycle racing Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix (1990, 1992)
  • GT World Challenge Europe (2016–2019)
  • International Formula 3000 (1998–2004)
  • Italian F4 Championship (2019)
  • Porsche Supercup (1993–2021)
  • Sidecar World Championship (1990, 1997, 2005, 2012)
  • Superbike World Championship (1988–1990)
  • Superstars Series (2012)
  • TCR Europe Touring Car Series (2018–2019)
  • TCR International Series (2017)
  • World Series Formula V8 3.5 (2007–2016)

Lap records

The official race lap records at the Hungaroring are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverCarRaceCircuit Map
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.381 km (2003–present)
Formula One1:16.627Lewis HamiltonMercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance2020 Hungarian Grand Prix
GP21:28.968Sébastien BuemiDallara GP2/052007 Hungaroring GP2 round
FIA F21:29.257Artem MarkelovDallara GP2/112017 Hungaroring F2 round
Formula V8 3.51:29.706[12]Tom DillmannDallara T122016 Hungaroring Formula V8 round
GP31:33.715George RussellDallara GP3/162017 Hungaroring GP3 round
Auto GP1:33.924[13]Adrian Quaife-HobbsLola B05/522012 Hungaroring Auto GP round
Formula 31:34.023[14]Maximilian GüntherDallara F3152016 Hungaroring F3 European Championship round
FIA F31:34.195Jake HughesDallara F3 20192020 Hungaroring FIA F3 round
Euroformula Open1:34.746[15]Cameron DasDallara 3202021 Hungaroring Euroformula Open round
LMP11:34.934[16]Olivier PanisPeugeot 908 HDi FAP2010 1000 km of Hungaroring
LMP21:36.369[16]Danny WattsHPD ARX-01c2010 1000 km of Hungaroring
DTM1:36.725[17]Mattias EkströmAudi RS5 DTM2017 Hungaroring DTM round
F30001:36.809[18]Patrick FriesacherLola B02/502003 Hungaroring F3000 round
FTwo (2009–2012)1:37.068[19]Alex FontanaWilliams JPH12012 Hungaroring FTwo round
International Formula Master1:38.696[20]Sergey AfanasyevTatuus N.T072009 Hungaroring Formula Master round
FREC1:39.828[21]Kas HaverkortTatuus F.3 T-3182022 Hungaroring FREC round
Formula Renault 2.01:41.496[22]Gabriel AubryTatuus FR2.0/132017 Hungaroring Formula Renault Eurocup round
LMPC1:41.869[23]Nicky CatsburgOreca FLM092013 3 Hours of Hungaroring
GT31:42.952[24]Fabian SchillerMercedes-AMG GT3 Evo2020 Hungaroring International GT Open round
GT1 (GTS)1:43.076[25]Fabio BabiniAston Martin DBR92006 FIA GT Budapest 500km
Formula 41:43.297[26]Dennis HaugerTatuus F4-T0142019 Hungaroring Italian F4 round
W Series1:43.611Jamie ChadwickTatuus F.3 T-3182021 Hungaroring W Series round
LM GTE1:46.497[23]Nick TandyPorsche 911 (997) GT3-RSR2013 3 Hours of Hungaroring
Ferrari Challenge1:48.198[27]Doriane PinFerrari 488 Challenge Evo2022 Hungaroring Ferrari Challenge round
Porsche Supercup1:48.237[28]Marvin KleinPorsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup2021 Hungaroring Porsche Supercup round
Eurocup Mégane Trophy1:49.628[29]Albert CostaRenault Mégane Renault Sport II2012 Hungaroring Eurocup Mégane Trophy round
WTCC1:50.119[30]Yvan MullerCitroën C-Elysée WTCC2014 FIA WTCC Race of Hungary
Formula BMW1:50.432[31]Esteban GutiérrezMygale FB022008 Hungaroring Formula BMW Europe round
TCR Touring Car1:53.163[32]Mikel AzconaHyundai i30 N TCR2022 FIA WTCR Race of Hungary
ETCR1:56.830[33]Philipp EngAlfa Romeo Giulia ETCR2021 Hungaroring Pure ETCR round
Truck racing2:18.214[34]Norbert KissMAN TGS2021 Hungaroring ETRC round
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.975 km (1989–2002)
Formula One1:16.207Michael SchumacherFerrari F20022002 Hungarian Grand Prix
F30001:29.846[35]Ricardo SperaficoLola B02/502002 Hungaroring F3000 round
Group C1:31.990[36]Bernd SchneiderPorsche 962 CK61990 Hungaroring Interserie round
GT1 (Prototype)1:32.300[37]Klaus LudwigMercedes-Benz CLK LM1998 FIA GT Budapest 500km
GT1 (GTS)1:39.068[38]Julian BaileyLister Storm2001 FIA GT Budapest 500km
N-GT1:43.295[38]Fabio BabiniPorsche 911 (996) GT3-RS2001 FIA GT Budapest 500km
Super Touring1:43.167[39]Roberto ColciagoAudi A4 Quattro2001 Hungaroring ESTC round
500cc1:44.390Mick DoohanHonda NSR5001990 Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc1:44.995Pierfrancesco ChiliAprilia RSV 2501992 Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix
Porsche Supercup1:45.815[40]Marco WernerPorsche 911 GT3 Cup (996)2002 Hungaroring Porsche Supercup round
World SBK1:47.875[41]Fred MerkelHonda RC301990 Hungaroring World SBK round
125cc1:50.150Fausto GresiniHonda RS1251992 Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix
Original Grand Prix Circuit: 4.014 km (1986–1988)
Formula One1:30.149Nelson PiquetWilliams FW11B1987 Hungarian Grand Prix
Group C1:42.390[42]Kris NissenPorsche 962C1988 Hungaroring Interserie round
Formula 31:43.730[43]Otto RensingReynard 8831988 Hungaroring German F3 round
World SBK1:57.280[44]Marco LucchinelliDucati 851 SBK1988 Hungaroring World SBK round
Group A1:57.380[45]Frank SchmicklerBMW M3 (E30) Evo1988 Hungaroring DTM round

Fatal accidents
  • 9 August 2015: Berto Camlek - Alpe Adria Road Racing Championship[46]

See also

References
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  2. "Hungaroring Circuit Info & Hotels". RaceTrackWorld.com. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  3. "Formula One:a way of fine-tuning an image". International Herald Tribune. 26 September 2003. Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  4. "Hungaroring, Hungary". BBC News. 29 June 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  5. "Formula one races draw in fewer fans in Europe". American Chamber of Commerce in Hungary. Archived from the original on 2 March 2006. Retrieved 2 March 2008.
  6. "LIST OF FIA LICENSED CIRCUITS" (PDF). FIA. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  7. "Welcome". Hungaroring Sport Plc. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  8. "Formula One: Think it's a joyride? Try some laps on Hungary's course". International Herald Tribune. 17 August 2002. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  9. "A history of the Hungarian Grand Prix". ESPN F1. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  10. "Verstappen explains why Hungaroring is one of his favourite tracks". GPfans. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  11. "Hungarian Grand Prix contract extended to 2027". PlanetF1. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  12. "2016 Hungaroring Formula V8 3.5 - Round 3". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  13. "2012 Hungaroring Auto GP - Round 7". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  14. "2016 Hungaroring European F3 - Round 5". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  15. "2021 Hungaroring Euroformula Open Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  16. "2010 European Le Mans Series Hungaroring". Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  17. "DTM 2017 » Hungaroring Round 6 Results". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  18. "2003 Hungaroring F3000". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  19. "2012 Hungaroring MSV F2 - Round 13". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  20. "2009 Hungaroring Formula Master". Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  21. "2022 Hungaroring FREC Race 1 Statistics". Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  22. "2017 Hungaroring Formula Renault 2.0 Race 3 Statistics". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  23. "2013 ELMS 3 Hours of Hungaroring Race Final Classification by Class" (PDF). Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  24. "2020 Hungaroring International GT Open Race - 2 Provisional Classification by Driver Fastest Lap" (PDF). Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  25. "2006 Hungaroring FIA GT - Round 8". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  26. "2019 Hungaroring Italian F4 Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  27. "2022 Trofeo Pirelli Hungaroring Race 2 (30 Minutes) Final Classification" (PDF). Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  28. "Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2021 Hungaroring Statistics". Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  29. "2012 Hungaroring Eurocup Mégane Trophy Race 2 (40' +1 lap) Final Classification" (PDF). Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  30. "WTCC 2014 » Hungaroring Round 5 Results". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  31. "2008 Formula BMW Europe Hungaroring (Race 1)". Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  32. "WTCR 2022 » Hungaroring Round 5 Results". Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  33. "PURE ETCR Hungary 20-22 August 2021 Pool A - Round 2 - Battle 2 - 2 Laps at 300 kW Final Classification". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  34. "Truck Race of Hungary Hungaroring, length 4381 m 12 & 13 June 2021 FIA European Truck Racing Championship Final Result Race 3, 13.06.2021" (PDF). Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  35. "2002 Hungaroring F3000". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  36. "Interserie Hungaroring 1990". Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  37. "FIA GT Championship Hungaroring 1998". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  38. "FIA GT Championship Hungaroring 2001". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  39. "European Super Touring Championship 2001 » Hungaroring Round 11 Results". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  40. "2002 Porsche Supercup". Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  41. "1990 Hungaroring World SBK Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  42. "Interserie Hungaroring 1988". Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  43. "Kesjár Csaba Emlékverseny Hungaroring 10.Lauf Deutsche Formel 3-Meisterschaft" (PDF). Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  44. "1988 Hungaroring World SBK Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  45. "Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1988 » Hungaroring Round 22 Results". Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  46. T, Krisztián (9 August 2015). "Alpok Adria – Halálos baleset a Hungaroringen…" (in Hungarian). rvo.hu. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
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