By Isabella Priestley
The Hungarian Grand Prix is a weekend that has been popular since its birth in 1986. The inaugural race drew in a crowd of 200,000, which was seen as immensely successful in a time where ticket prices were relatively steep. Originally, the plan was to stage it around a street circuit in Budapest, but planning complications stopped this process; this led it to being the track we know, and love, today.
Hungaroring has always been successful, but it was dubbed the Polish Grand Prix during Robert Kubica’s initial Formula 1 stint. 25,000 Polish fans would travel annually to see him race and upon his return in 2019, there were 20,000 more fans at the track. The attendance record was set in 2024, with a crowd of around 310,000. In 2020, during the COVID-19 closed-door races, Hungary was the most watched of the season, which proves that it is one of the most loved instalments on the calendar.
Breakthrough performances and maiden wins are what Hungary is known for; such as Fernando Alonso in 2003, Damon Hill in 1993, and Oscar Piastri in 2024. The track allows for more tradition racing, which differs from the modern infrastructure of the rest of the calendar. The classic style of racing it allows has always been accepted amongst fans, drivers, and teams.
In terms of the track itself, it has been in the same location we love since its origin but has had a few changes. It has been rebuilt twice, with the first being the removal of the triple chicane in 1989. In 2003, a bigger refurbishment was made to lengthen the target straight, and changes to turns 1, 12, and 14 were made. Despite its changes, it has never been under threat on the calendar.
Lewis Hamilton is, by far, the most successful driver at the Hungaroring with 8 victories. McLaren, however, are the most successful team with 13 victories as a collective.
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