18-7-2024
1. The original circuit was slower than planned
When construction of the Hungaroring began in the mid-1980s, the original configuration had to be altered at the last minute. The discovery of an underground spring meant an extra kink had to be drawn into the layout. Until 1989, the track featured a right-left U-bend on the straight immediately after Turn 3. Further alterations took place ahead of 2003 to extend the main straight and tighten Turn 1, while also creating a new Turn 12.
2. The winner of the first-ever Grand Prix was Hungarian
In the Hungaroring paddock there is a memorial to the winner of the first-ever race to be given the title ‘Grand Prix.’ In 1906, Hungarian Ferenc Szisz (1873-1944) triumphed at the wheel of a Renault. Held over two days in June at a track located near Le Mans, Szisz won the Grand Prix de l’Automobile Club de France at an average speed of 63mph. Only one Hungarian has contested a World Championship F1 event: Zsolt Baumgartner started 20 races between 2003-04.
3. Five drivers have clinched their first win in Hungary
When Esteban Ocon crossed the line to take a memorable win for Alpine in 2021, he became the latest in a line of drivers who scored their first Grand Prix victory at the Hungaroring. The first in the list is Damon Hill, who triumphed in his Williams-Renault in 1993. Ten years later, Renault’s Fernando Alonso clinched the first of his 32 wins, while Jenson Button was victorious in a wet-dry thriller at the Hungaroring in 2006. Heikki Kovalainen took the only victory of his F1 career in 2008.
4. The race has an unbroken streak of 39 years
Ever since the Hungarian Grand Prix became the first race to take place behind the ‘Iron Curtain’ in eastern Europe, since 1986 it has enjoyed an unbroken run of 39 consecutive years of racing. That’s especially impressive given the Covid-19 season that disrupted the schedule. Only Monza enjoys a longer streak, dating back to 1981 (as the 1980 Italian GP was held at Imola). For the record, Silverstone has enjoyed 39 races in a row, but held two in 2020. The British GP track took over from Brands Hatch in 1987 — a year after Hungary joined the calendar.
5. It’s the only race to start with one car on the grid
It was perhaps the most bizarre sight in the 74-year history of Formula 1 — just one car lined up on the grid to start the race. A damp track in 2021 led to a first-corner incident that eliminated five cars. A red-flag stoppage led to a restart, but as the field took the formation lap to the grid, the track had dried up significantly for dry tyres. Everyone dived into the pits except leader Lewis Hamilton. He lined up on pole as the five red lights went out and pitted at the end of the lap. That handed the lead — and ultimately victory — to Esteban.