Hungaroring Explained

Hungaroring
Former Names:Hungaroring (1986-1994, 2005 - Present)
Hungaroring RT (1995-2004)
Location:Mogyoród, Pest County, Hungary
Coordinates:47.5822°N 19.2511°W
Time:CET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
Fiagrade:1
Architect:István Papp & Ferenc Gulácsi
Events:Current:
Formula One
Hungarian Grand Prix (1986–present)
International GT Open (2012, 2014, 2017–2018, 2020–present)
Porsche Carrera Cup Germany (1988, 2014, 2024)
Former:
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix (1990, 1992)
ELMS 4 Hours of Hungaroring (2010, 2013)
TCR World Tour (2023)
European Truck Racing Championship (1988–1990, 2015–2022)
FIA WTCR Race of Hungary (2011–2022)
GT World Challenge Europe (2016–2019)
DTM (2014, 2016–2018)
World SBK (1988–1990)
FIA GT (1998–2001, 2006, 2009)
Capacity:70,000
Operator:Hungaroring Sport Zrt
Layout1:Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
Length Km:4.381
Length Mi:2.722
Turns:14
Record Time:1:16.627
Record Driver: Lewis Hamilton
Record Car:Mercedes W11
Record Year:2020
Record Class:F1
Layout2:Modified Grand Prix Circuit (1989–2002)
Length Km2:3.975
Length Mi2:2.466
Turns2:13
Record Time2:1:16.207
Record Driver2: Michael Schumacher
Record Car2:Ferrari F2002
Record Year2:2002
Record Class2:F1
Layout3:Original Grand Prix Circuit (1986–1988)
Length Km3:4.014
Length Mi3:2.494
Turns3:16
Record Time3:1:30.149
Record Driver3: Nelson Piquet
Record Car3:Williams FW11B
Record Year3:1987
Record Class3:F1

The Hungaroring is a 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]

Description

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 barriers" 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, Esteban Ocon in 2021, and Oscar Piastri in 2024.

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 to, 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. These changes lengthened the circuit length from .

Drivers

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

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. Michael Schumacher's success in the 1990s brought tens of thousands of German fans to Hungaroring each year. The trend began in 1992 and continued throughout the 2000s until his retirement in 2006. Schumacher won at Hungaroring in 1994, 1998, 2001 and 2004, finishing second in 2000 and 2002.

The contract is prolonged until 2032,[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
Former

Lap records

As of June 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Hungaroring are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event Circuit Map
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.381 km (2003–present)
1:16.627
1:28.968 2007 Hungaroring GP2 round
1:29.257 2017 Hungaroring F2 round
1:29.706[12] 2016 Hungaroring Formula V8 round
1:33.715 2017 Hungaroring GP3 round
1:33.924[13] 2012 Hungaroring Auto GP round
1:34.023[14] 2016 Hungaroring F3 European Championship round
1:34.195 2020 Hungaroring FIA F3 round
1:34.746[15] 2021 Hungaroring Euroformula Open round
1:34.934[16] 2010 1000 km of Hungaroring
1:36.369 2010 1000 km of Hungaroring
1:36.725[17]
1:36.809[18]
1:37.068[19] 2012 Hungaroring FTwo round
1:38.696[20] 2009 Hungaroring Formula Master round
1:39.584[21] 2024 Hungaroring GB3 round
1:39.828[22] 2022 Hungaroring FREC round
1:41.496[23] 2017 Hungaroring Formula Renault Eurocup round
1:41.869[24] 2013 3 Hours of Hungaroring
1:42.887[25] Christopher Mies[26] 2016 Hungaroring Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup round
1:42.890[27] 2015 Hungaroring Renault Sport Trophy round
1:43.076[28] 2006 FIA GT Budapest 500km
1:43.297[29] 2019 Hungaroring Italian F4 round
1:46.497 2013 3 Hours of Hungaroring
1:47.662[30] 2024 Hungaroring Porsche Carrera Cup Germany round
1:48.198[31] 2022 Hungaroring Ferrari Challenge round
1:48.218[32] 2015 Hungaroring IDM Superbike round
1:48.847[33]
1:49.544[34] 2019 Hungaroring GT Cup Open Europe round
1:49.628[35] 2012 Hungaroring Eurocup Mégane Trophy round
1:50.119[36] 2014 FIA WTCC Race of Hungary
1:50.432[37] 2008 Hungaroring Formula BMW Europe round
1:51.092[38] 2015 Hungaroring French F4 round
1:52.561 2006 FIA GT Budapest 500km
1:52.572[39] 2015 Hungaroring IDM Supersport round
1:53.163[40] 2022 FIA WTCR Race of Hungary
1:53.579[41] Simon Knap[42] 2016 Hungaroring GT4 European Series round
1:55.141[43] BMW 320 TC2014 FIA WTCC Race of Hungary
1:55.975[44] 2015 Hungaroring ETC round
1:56.830[45] 2021 Hungaroring Pure ETCR round
2:03.749[46] 2021 Hungaroring FIA CEZ Endurance Championship Series round
2:08.979 2015 Hungaroring ETC round
2:18.214[47] 2021 Hungaroring ETRC round
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.975 km (1989–2002)
1:16.207
1:29.846[48]
1:31.990[49] 1990 Hungaroring Interserie round
1:32.300[50] 1998 FIA GT Budapest 500km
1:39.068[51] 2001 FIA GT Budapest 500km
1:39.634[52] 1999 FIA GT Budapest 500km
1:39.663[53] 2001 Hungaroring Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup round
1:43.167[54] 2001 Hungaroring ESTC round
1:43.295 2001 FIA GT Budapest 500km
1:44.390 1990 Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix
1:44.995 1992 Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix
1:45.815[55] 2002 Hungaroring Porsche Supercup round
1:47.875[56] 1990 Hungaroring World SBK round
1:50.150 Honda RS125 1992 Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix
Original Grand Prix Circuit: 4.014 km (1986–1988)
1:30.149
1:42.390[57] 1988 Hungaroring Interserie round
1:43.730[58] 1988 Hungaroring German F3 round
1:57.280[59] 1988 Hungaroring World SBK round
1:57.380[60]

Fatal accidents

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Hungarian Grand Prix. CNN. 24 February 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071224173330/http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/formula1/circuits/#Hungarian . 24 December 2007.
  2. Web site: Hungaroring Circuit Info & Hotels. 2021-02-02. RaceTrackWorld.com. en-US.
  3. News: Formula One:a way of fine-tuning an image. International Herald Tribune. 26 September 2003. 25 February 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080804034640/http://www.iht.com/articles/2003/09/26/rrace_ed3_.php . 4 August 2008.
  4. News: Hungaroring, Hungary. BBC News. 18 February 2008 . 29 June 2007.
  5. News: Formula one races draw in fewer fans in Europe. American Chamber of Commerce in Hungary. 2 March 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060302015731/http://www.amcham.hu/businesshungary/17-08/articles/17-08_42.asp . 2 March 2006 .
  6. Web site: LIST OF FIA LICENSED CIRCUITS. 6 February 2015. FIA. 28 May 2015.
  7. Web site: Welcome. Hungaroring Sport Plc.. 25 February 2008.
  8. News: Formula One: Think it's a joyride? Try some laps on Hungary's course. International Herald Tribune. 17 August 2002. 27 February 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110604235359/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/17/sports/17iht-prix_ed3_.html . 4 June 2011 .
  9. Web site: A history of the Hungarian Grand Prix. ESPN F1. ESPN EMEA Ltd.. 23 August 2010.
  10. Web site: Verstappen explains why Hungaroring is one of his favourite tracks. GPfans. 31 July 2019 . 3 August 2019.
  11. Web site: Formula 1 to race in Hungary until 2032. Formula1.com. 22 July 2023. 22 July 2023.
  12. Web site: 2016 Hungaroring Formula V8 3.5 - Round 3 . . 23 April 2016 . 10 May 2022.
  13. Web site: 2012 Hungaroring Auto GP - Round 7 . . 5 May 2012 . 10 May 2022.
  14. Web site: 2016 Hungaroring European F3 - Round 5 . . 23 April 2016 . 10 May 2022.
  15. Web site: 2021 Hungaroring Euroformula Open (Race 2) . 10 July 2021 . 19 May 2024.
  16. Web site: 2010 Le Mans Series Hungaroring . 22 August 2010 . 19 May 2024.
  17. Web site: DTM 2017 » Hungaroring Round 6 Results . 18 June 2017 . 10 May 2022.
  18. Web site: 2003 Hungaroring F3000 . . 23 August 2003 . 10 May 2022.
  19. Web site: 2012 Hungaroring MSV F2 - Round 13 . . 8 September 2012 . 10 May 2022.
  20. Web site: 2009 Hungaroring Formula Master . . 26 July 2009 . 29 June 2022.
  21. Web site: 2024 Hungaroring - GB3 - Race 2 - Provisional Results . 23 June 2024 . 23 June 2024.
  22. Web site: 2022 Hungaroring Formula Regional Championship by Alpine Race - 1 - Final Results . 9 July 2022 . 19 May 2024.
  23. Web site: Hungaroring Eurocup Formula Renault 2017 - Race 3 - Final Results . 2 July 2017 . 19 May 2024.
  24. Web site: 2013 ELMS 3 Hours of Hungaroring Race Final Classification by Class . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926030716/http://elms.alkamelsystems.com/Results/08_2013/04_HUNGARORING/36_ELMS/201309141555_Race/3%20Hours/05_ClassificationByClass_Race_ELMS.PDF . 14 September 2013 . 26 September 2022 . 10 May 2022 . live.
  25. Web site: Blancpain Sprint Series Hungaroring 2016 . 28 August 2016 . 7 January 2023.
  26. Web site: Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup - Overall 2016 standings . https://web.archive.org/web/20220704090644/https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/blancpain-sprint-series/2016/ . 4 July 2022 . 18 June 2023 . live.
  27. Web site: 2015 Hungaroring Renault Sport Trophy Elite Race (25' +1 lap) Final Classification . 14 June 2015 . 1 August 2023.
  28. Web site: 2006 FIA GT Budapest Supercar 500 . 30 September 2006 . 19 May 2024.
  29. Web site: 2019 Hungaroring - F4 Italian Championship Race - 2 - Provisional Results . 7 July 2019 . 19 May 2024.
  30. Web site: 2024 Hungaroring - Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland - Race 2 - Provisional Results . 23 June 2024 . 23 June 2024.
  31. Web site: 2022 Trofeo Pirelli Hungaroring Race 2 (30 Minutes) Final Classification . 19 June 2022 . 25 June 2022.
  32. Web site: 2015 Superbike-IDM Lauf 5 Hungaroring - IDM Superbike - Superstock 1000 - Rennen 1 . 5 July 2015 . 6 January 2023.
  33. Web site: 2009 FIA GT Budapest City Challenge . 30 August 2009 . 29 December 2022.
  34. Web site: 2019 Hungaroring GT Cup Open Europe Race - 2 Provisional Classification by Driver Fastest Lap . 7 July 2019 . 7 January 2023.
  35. Web site: 2012 Hungaroring Eurocup Mégane Trophy Race 2 (40' +1 lap) Final Classification . 16 September 2012 . 25 January 2023.
  36. Web site: WTCC 2014 » Hungaroring Round 5 Results . 4 May 2014 . 10 May 2022.
  37. Web site: 2008 Formula BMW Europe Hungaroring (Race 1) . 4 August 2008 . 9 July 2022.
  38. Web site: 2015 French Formula 4 Hungaroring (Race 1) . 13 June 2015 . 19 May 2024.
  39. Web site: 2015 Superbike-IDM Lauf 5 Hungaroring - IDM Supersport 600 - SuperNaked - Rennen 1 . 4 July 2015 . 6 January 2023.
  40. Web site: WTCR 2022 » Hungaroring Round 5 Results . 12 June 2022 . 12 June 2022.
  41. Web site: GT4 Hungaroring 2016 . 25 September 2016 . 29 December 2022.
  42. Web site: Competition102 GT4 European Series - Pro Class 2016 standings . https://web.archive.org/web/20220108111203/https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/gt4-european-series/2016/ . 8 January 2022 . 18 June 2023 . live.
  43. Web site: WTCC 2014 » Hungaroring Round 6 Results . 4 May 2014 . 16 December 2022.
  44. Web site: ETC Cup 2015 » Hungaroring Round 2 Results . 3 May 2015 . 19 May 2024.
  45. Web site: PURE ETCR Hungary 20-22 August 2021 Pool A - Round 2 - Battle 2 - 2 Laps at 300 kW Final Classification . 21 August 2021 . 10 May 2022.
  46. Web site: LAPTIMING KUPA - FIA CEZ Circuit Racing Championship & MNASZ Hankook Autós Gyorsasági és Endurance OB . 17 April 2021 . 15 April 2023.
  47. Web site: Truck Race of Hungary Hungaroring, length 4381 m 12 & 13 June 2021 FIA European Truck Racing Championship Final Result Race 3, 13.06.2021 . 13 June 2021 . 30 July 2022.
  48. Web site: 2002 Hungaroring F3000 . . 17 August 2002 . 10 May 2022.
  49. Web site: Interserie Hungaroring 1990 . 4 May 1990 . 4 August 2022.
  50. Web site: FIA GT Championship Hungaroring 1998 . 19 July 1998 . 10 May 2022.
  51. Web site: FIA GT Championship Hungaroring 2001 . 1 July 2001 . 10 May 2022.
  52. Web site: II Hungaroring 500kms . 4 July 1999 . 1 December 2022.
  53. Web site: 2001 Formula Renault Eurocup - Hungaroring - Round 6, 30 June . 30 June 2001 . 27 May 2024.
  54. Web site: European Super Touring Championship 2001 » Hungaroring Round 11 Results . 1 July 2001 . 10 May 2022.
  55. Web site: 2002 Porsche Supercup Round 8: Hungaroring, 18th August . 18 August 2002 . 12 October 2022.
  56. Web site: 1990-04-28 to 1990-04-30 World Superbike Hungarian Round Race 2 . 30 April 1990 . 29 December 2022.
  57. Web site: Interserie Hungaroring 1988 . 3 April 1988 . 4 August 2022.
  58. Web site: Kesjár Csaba Emlékverseny Hungaroring 10.Lauf Deutsche Formel 3-Meisterschaft . 18 September 1988 . 21 May 2022.
  59. Web site: 1988 Hungaroring World SBK Race 2 Statistics . 30 April 1988 . 5 June 2022.
  60. Web site: Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1988 » Hungaroring Round 22 Results . 18 September 1988 . 10 May 2022.
  61. News: Alpok Adria – Halálos baleset a Hungaroringen…. . T . Krisztián . 9 August 2015 . rvo.hu . 5 December 2015 . hu . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151208113348/http://www.rvo.hu/benzingoz/2015/08/09/alpok-adria-halalos-baleset-hungaroringen/ . 8 December 2015 .

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