Get ready, F1 aficionados! Formula 1 is back as the legendary Hungaroring circuit awaits this weekend. The 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix is the 13th race on the calendar. After a busy triple-header until the British Grand Prix, F1 called all fans to the outskirts of Budapest to witness the adrenaline as the best drivers unfolded the pulsating battle for glory. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix history, stats, and facts.
A Rich History of the Hungarian Grand Prix
The Hungarian Grand Prix is a famous motorsport racing event that is held every year in Mogyorod at the Hungaroring. The track has been partnered since 1986 with the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. After that, the Hungarian GP became a stable member in organizing the F1 racing event, but its journey from being the Iron Curtain to the fastest F1 racing track that stands still is filled with twists and turns, just like being the track itself. The Hungary GP began its journey on the verge of the Cold War and became the second-longest racing track to host Formula 1 racing to date.
The 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix will be the 37th Hungary GP that will be held at the Hungaroring. The first Hungarian Grand Prix was held on June 21st, 1936. It was a 5-kilometer track that was situated in Nepliget, Budapest. But when the Cold War stalled in 1947, the track did not host the race for half a century. In 1985, when the distortion of the Soviet Union took place with political shifting, Bernie Ecclestone brought the majority of F1 stakes to Eastern Europe, and thus the construction of the Hungarian racing track began beyond the Iron Curtain.
The construction of the Hungarian racing arena commenced on October 1, 1985, and the final version was completed in a record 8 months. So after the track was certified to host F1 races by the FIA, the first inaugural race was held on March 24, 1986, in memory of Janos Drapal. He was the first Hungarian racer to win the FIM Motorcycle Grand Prix race. After several decades, the layout of the track has been changed several times following safety concerns and to improve racing. The following table shows how the changes were made over the years on the Hungarian racing circuit.
Timeline | Changes Made Through The Years |
1986 | The construction of the Hungarian GP was complete, and the first GP took place. |
1989 | The first modification was made with the removal of the chicane. |
2003 | The circuit extends to overhaul the apex so that overtake is available |
2004 | There is a 200-meter extension to the main grandstand, and the final corner hairpin is tighter. |
2004-2005 | Turn 12 was modified and the track length was increased to 4.38 KM |
2006 | The track hosted the first-ever wet race on the Hungary GP |
In 2016, the circuit was again revamped so that the lower downforce should be levitated more. This would create more wheel-to-wheel action and create opinions for strategic maneuvers.
Hungaroring Track Stats: Key Figures and Records
The Hungarian Grand Prix is known as “Monaco Without the Walls.” This nickname was given due to its tight and twisty layout. The track is 4.381 km long with 14 turns. Hungaroring is one of the shortest and slowest F1 tracks, as the turns are narrow and the chances of overtaking are quite minimal. With 14 corners, 6 to the left and 8 to the right, the track is compact with marrow straights. There are two DRS zones available for the driver to overtake the opponent. The first is situated on the start-finish straight on Turn 1, and the second is banked on Turn 2.
Circuit | Hungaroring |
Circuit Length | 4.381 KM |
Race Distance | 306.630 KM |
No.of Laps | 70 |
Turns | 14 |
First Grand Prix | 1986 |
Last Grand Prix | 2023 |
Fastest Lap Record | 1:13:447 (Lewis Hamilton, 2020) |
Fastest Race Lap | 1:16:627 (Lewis Hamilton, 2020) |
Hungaroring Heroes: Record Breakers at the Hungarian Grand Prix
On the first day, 200,000 visitors conjectured about the first Hungarian Grand Prix, and they all cheered up. This inaugural Grand Prix was remembered for the winning campaign of Nigel Mansell and his tough fight for the championship with Ayrton Senna. The track has had some sophisticated feats through the years. Let us look at the records made at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Most Grand Prix Wins: Lewis Hamiton with 8 wins ( 2007, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2018-19, 2020)
Most Pole Position: Lewis Hamilton (9)
Fastest Race Lap: Lewis Hamilton in 2020 (1:16:627)
First Hungarian Driver To Race: Zsolt Baumgartner (2003–2005)
Most Wins By Any Constructor: McLaren (11)
Hungarian Grand Prix Extended Its Contract To Host F1 Races 2032
In 2023, the sports management of Hungaroring Sport Zrt announced that the Hungary Grand Prix had extended its contract until 2032 to host F1 races. The CEO of Hungaroring Sprot Zrt, Zsolt Gyulay, told the F1 nation that Hungary and F1 will stay forever together until 2032.
Which are your favorite moments from the sensational Hungarian Grand Prix? Do let us know in the comments below. To learn more about the tracks and F1 technologies, please follow us for more updates.
