The circuit is known for its bumpy surface and many continuous curves. This is why this circuit is also called the “Mickey Mouse Circuit” and “Monaco without walls”. With a length of 4.38 km and 14 corners, the Hungaroring circuit demands a great effort from the drivers. We can’t wait for the next Hungarian GP to take place, which is why we will hype you up for this great race in advance. We will tell you everything you need to know about the Hungarian Grand Prix: the circuit, how to get to the track and, last but not least, how to plan around the weather.
Directly to: 1) Hungaroring Circuit 2) The Hungaroring circuit in detail 3) Stands at Hungaroring 4) How do you travel to the Hungaroring circuit? 5) The weather at Hungaroring 6) Visit the Hungarian Grand Prix
A Formula 1 race has been held here every year since 1986. Nelson Piquet was the first driver to emerge victorious here, and since then this circuit has hosted thirty-six Formula 1 races. The teams with the most wins at the Hungarian GP are McLaren (11), Ferrari (7) and Williams (7) . The Hungaroring contains 70 race laps and a total race length of 306.63 km. Because the Hungaroring circuit has few straights, it is often compared to kart circuits. This makes it a great challenge for the drivers! This is why the race remains exciting every year: one can never know for sure who will crown himself the winner of the challenging Hungaroring circuit.
Hungaroring contains two DRS zones and many slow corners. A true spectacle is always guaranteed and one can expect to see gutsy drivers make incredible moves to finish on the podium. Corner number one is the only place where you can really overtake, according to most drivers. If you have just overtaken someone, you can almost open up the DRS on that corner towards turn two. Overtaking someone can also be attempted on the straight towards corner four.
After the drivers race uphill to turn six, the track then abruptly turns right, with turn seven being another long 180-degree turn. Then, after a straight, pilots enter the awkward chicane of turns 8 and 9, where typical Hungaroring kerbs must be used to maximise cornering speed. Turns 10, 11, 12 and 13 are the most fun on the Hungaroring circuit: a series of medium-high speeds where mistakes are regularly made. Then the track goes downhill to turn 14. Turn 15 is another long 180-degree turn, followed by a short straight before a final 180-degree turn. Finally, the last sprint begins on the straight to the finish line.
Below is an overview of all corners of the Hungaroring circuit with number, direction and speed:
|
Turn(s) |
Direction |
Speed |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Right |
Low |
|
2 |
Left |
Low |
|
3 |
Right |
Average |
|
4 |
Left |
Average |
|
5 |
Right |
Low |
|
6 & 7 |
Chicane left-right |
Low |
|
8 |
Left |
Average |
|
9 |
Right |
Average |
|
10 |
Left |
High |
|
11 |
Right |
High |
|
12 |
Right |
Low |
|
13 |
Left |
Low |
|
14 |
Right |
Low |
Some of the Hungaroring corners are named after drivers. For example, corner number four is named after Nigel Mansell, as he lost a wheel there at the 1987 Grand Prix. Jean Alesi crashed in corner 11 during qualifying in 1995, and so it has been named after him.
In total, the capacity at the Hungaroring circuit is around 70,000 people per day. All stands at the Hungaroring have numbered seats and a view of a TV screen. The Super Gold stand (on the main straight opposite the pit lane) is the only covered stand at the Hungaroring. If you don’t feel like spending three days in the hot sun, this grandstand is your solution. For visitors going to the Hungaroring for the first time and wanting to see different corners on the track, you can choose a ticket category that allows you to stand in different places around the track, so you can explore many points of view.
The Hungaroring is naturally nestled in a valley. This means that the access areas around the track offer perfect visibility, especially between turns 9 and 14. As with other circuits on the F1 program, it is advised to bring binoculars so that you can keep track of the race from everywhere!
If you travel to Hungary by plane, you will land at Ferenc Liszt airport. If you rent a car there, you will be at the circuit within half an hour. By bus, you can also easily reach the Hungaroring circuit from Budapest. The express bus line 321 runs on the M3 motorway between Budapest and Mogyoród and stops at the Hungaroring.
A half-hour drive from the Hungaroring circuit is Budapest. The Hungarian capital was named the best destination in Europe in 2019. Moreover, it is cheap and everyone can find something there that they will enjoy; from culture lovers to partygoers, Budapest has everything one may wish for.
When Formula 1 descends on Hungary, it usually coincides with summer. Although Hungary does not conjure up tropical temperatures, it can be quite warm in the summer. Temperatures can reach 25 to 30 degrees during the day, so don’t forget to stay hydrated ! To avoid surprises, we advise you to check the weather forecasts beforehand.
The Hungarian GP is in Red Bull‘s Formula 1 experience bucket list top five. In the sun on the Hungaroring during the day, at night on the terrace in beautiful Budapest; a perfect combination between Formula 1 and a nice city break not too far from home. Moreover, it is easy to reach. With P1 Travel, a visit to this old-school circuit is closer than you think. Check out the options and let the pre-race fun begin.
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