Hungary

Budapest

Track: Hungaroring

The Hungaroring, is one of Formula One's most technical tracks. The circuit requires a lot of precise and key moments for drivers to master, in order to set good lap times etc. Hungary has managed to serve a decent amount of memorable moments in F1, as well as showing off great rivalry battles over the past few years.

Onboard Lap using EA SPORTS F1® 24

2024 Hungarian GP (BBC)

Hungarian GP

The first time Formula One has raced at Budapest, happened during the 1986 FIA Formula One World Championship. Hungary was the first, to host a F1 race behind the infamous "Iron Curtain", a big border that spans all across Eastern Europe, which divides European countries. All capitalist in the West, and Communists in the East. Hungary was under communism due to being one of many satellite states of the Soviet Union. But since relations between the US and USSR began to improve, a few countries in Eastern Europe began to start choosing their own future. Hungary was one of the few countries that began to improve, and F1 sought this opportunity to began expanding their influence across Eastern Europe. They first raced at the Hungaroring, which became their first venue to race in Hungary. The race was won by Williams' Nelson Piquet

First Hungarian GP 1986 (Motorsport Images)

The Iron Curtain (World Atlas)

Hungarian Grand Prix (1986) Track Layout

1986 - 1989 (Wikipedia)

Length: 4.01km 2.49mi

Laps: 76

Hungarian Grand Prix

The Hungaroring, was modified for the 1989 FIA Formula One World Championship, and so on. The most notable change they made, was the removal of chicane at turn 3, as well as removing the turns after turn 11 - 12, as well as a much sharper turn 1.

Hungaroring Layout

Turns: 19

DRS Zones: 2

Length: 7.00km (4.35mi)

Fastest Lap: Valtteri Bottas

1:46.286

During the 2006 Hungarian GP, the race would be memorable as it marked the first Grand Prix victory for Jenson Button. Button had a remarkable drive around the Hungaroring, managing to keep the pace that he needed to win the Grand Prix.

Button's Hungarian GP Victory 2006 (Motor Sport Magazine)

In the 2019 Hungarian GP, the race was one of Lewis Hamilton & Max Verstappen's early battles in the entire sport. Both drivers were fighting for the lead as they were wheel to wheel. Verstappen was in the lead but, eventually lost it to Hamilton after successfully snatching the victory from Verstappen after overtaking him.

2019 Hungarian GP (Formula1)

2021 Hungarian GP (Formula1)

However during the 2021 Hungarian GP, it would be very memorable for the Grand Prix's chaotic start. Due to bad weather and damped conditions, the race was red-flagged due to the incident in turn 1, where Mercedes's Valtteri Bottas collided with Red Bull's Sergio Pérez, which caused a chain reaction to hit his team mate, Max Verstappen. The collision would also affect Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, McLarens Lando Norris etc. This would also be a huge surprise to one of the few drivers who failed to reach Q3, specifically one of the lower ranking teams such as Haas, Williams & Alpine, to have a chance to get one of their drivers to win. Alpine did just that, managing to get their driver Esteban Ocon, to accomplish his first GP victory in F1. Of course, he couldn't have done it without the amazing help from his team mate Fernando Alonso, for holding of Lewis Hamilton for 10 laps.

The 2024 Hungarian GP would be a special Grand Prix Weekend for both McLaren and their newest driver, Oscar Piastri. Piastri had a Mega weekend, managing to accomplish his first ever F1 victory. The race would also unfold dramatic events between Verstappen and his team. Verstappen was frustrated during the race, not happy with the car's performance. His anger eventually led him to contact with his old rival, Lewis Hamilton at turn 1, sending Verstappen in the air and loosing the place to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

Piastri's Victory 2024 Hungarian GP (McLaren)

Verstappen & Hamilton's Colliion 2024 Hungarian GP (Formula1)

The Hungaroring still remains a fan favorite till this day. The fact that it's one of the first attempts for F1 to expand their influence in Eastern Europe. The technical turns and straights, manages to capture those iconic and memorable moments in the sport which would always be remembered by fans.

WINNERS

1986: Nelson Piquet
1987: Nelson Piquet
1988: Ayrton Senna
1989: Nigel Mansell
1990: Thierry Boutsen
1991: Ayrton Senna
1992: Ayrton Senna
1993: Damon Hill
1994: Michael Schumacher
1995: Damon Hill
1996: Jacques Villeneuve
1997: Jacques Villeneuve
1998: Michael Schumacher
1999: Mika Hakkinen
2000: Mika Hakkinen

2001: Michael Schumacher
2002: Rubens Barrichello
2003: Fernando Alonso
2004: Michael Schumacher
2005: Kimi Raikkonen
2006: Jenson Button
2007: Lewis Hamilton
2008: Heikki Kovalainen
2009: Lewis Hamilton
2010: Mark Webber

2011: Jenson Button
2012: Lewis Hamilton
2013: Lewis Hamilton
2014: Daniel Ricciardo
2015: Sebastian Vettel
2016: Lewis Hamilton
2017: Sebastian Vettel
2018: Lewis Hamilton
2019: Lewis Hamilton
2020: Lewis Hamilton
2021: Esteban Ocon
2022: Max Verstappen
2023: Max Verstappen
2024: Oscar Piastri