Formula One News

Location: Budapest Race Date: 31st July 2011 Circuit Length: 4.381 km Number of Laps: 70 Race Distance: 306.630 km 2011 Pole Sitter: S.Vettel 2011 Race Winner: J.Button  Grands Prix Held: 26 Circuit Website: Hungaroring GP Circuit Diagram Produced By: Adrian Dean

Brief History

The Hungaroring F1 race circuit is situated in a valley 19 kilometres from the centre of Budapest. This valley location offers natural vantage points for excellent views of the track for spectators.

The building of the Hungaroring broke all records, taking only eight months to build, a record which it still holds today over twenty years on. The track opened in 1986 and held its first Formula One race weekend in August that year. It was a huge success and almost 200,000 fans showed up. This first Grand Prix in 1986 was also the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held behind the iron curtain.

In 2003, the start finish straight was lengthened by twenty metres. It is also considered one of the safest circuits on the Formula One Calendar, as there aren’t many overtaking points. This generally means, in order to do well at this circuit drivers have to put in a good qualifying performance. However, Nigel Mansell did manage to win the 1989 Hungarian Grand Prix amazingly after starting twelfth on the grid.

Several drivers have also had their first grand prix wins at this circuit, including Damon Hill in 1993, Fernando Alonso in 2003 and most recently Jenson Button in 2006, which also saw the first ever wet Hungarian Grand Prix.