This Friday, on what's a public holiday in Hungary, Formula 1 cars will take to the streets of Budapest. As part of Nagy Futam ("Big Run" in English), motorsport enthusiasts can experience the adrenalin pumping excitement of the world's fastest cars looping around Budapest's iconic sights. This is a chance to get closer than ever to stars like Ferrari's Kimi Räikkönen and Red Bull's Danyiil Kvjat. But it won't just be F1 cars on show with other top cars also doing the circuit. Plus earlier in the day there'll be a supercharged air show overhead too. Don't miss it!
The huge event aims to bring F1 racing, and the love of motorsports in general, closer to the public. And the cars will literally be close as they zoom along the Danube banks and across the Chain Bridge. In fact, this Friday it will be possible to get much closer to the action than it would be at a racetrack. And what a sight it will be to see Kimi Räikkönen and his team starting their run in front of the Várkert Bazar, crossing the Chain Bridge before returning. This is also the perfect chance to try to get some autographs from your favourite motor stars. Red Bull's Danyiil Kvjat will also be riding in a 2012 model (you can see his Budapest greeting below), plus we'll also have the chance to see a NASCAR Toyota Camry, a Ferrari F430 and 458, and Hungarian Zsolt Baumgartner for World Series by Renault all in action!
While the motorsports will take place in the afternoon from about 2pm, earlier in the day from about 11am there'll be an awesome air show spectacular as various planes, helicopters and parachuters present their impressive aero-acrobatics. So if you love technical air sports and you want to get a good spot for the afternoon's driving, come early and secure a good spot.
As you can see on the map below, the Street Parade will largely take place on the banks of Buda in the section between Batthyány Square and Erzsébet Bridge.
We think some of the best vantage points will be from the Pest or Buda banks of the Danube, or from the foot of the Chain Bridge, although it's best to head down on the day to see where the best viewpoints (and smallest crowds) are. As for the air show it's likely that the Danube Banks, one of the bridges, or even up at Buda Castle will have great views.
Program HighlightsThese are selected program highlights, see the full program here in Hungarian.Air show10.45 - 11.00 Magyar Honvédség MI-8 helicopter introduction, parachute jumps 11.10 - 11.25 Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team 11.25 - 11.37 BO-105 és Bell Cobra helicopter formation introduction11.38 - 11.56 Flying Bulls introduction 11.58 - 12.08 FARNAIR Boeing 737-400 12.08 - 12.20 Hungarian Parachuters introduction 12.20 - 12.30 MI-2 introduction 12.30 - 12.42 Gold Timer introduction 12.42 - 12.50 Alpha Jet
Street Parade 14.30 - 14.35 Live drive-up 14.35 - 14.50 Scuderia Ferrari - Kimi Raikkönen14.50 - 15.05 Infinity Red Bull Racing - Daniil Kvyat / David Coulthard15.05 - 15.15 NASCAR (Toyota Camry) – Patrick Friesacher15.15 - 15.30 FIA WTCC 15.30 - 15.40 World Series by Renault, inclduing Baumgartner Zsolt15.40 - 15.50 FIA European Truck Racing Championship16.00 - 16.10 Drift introduction – Nissan Skyline / BMW M516.10 - 16.20 Ferrari F430, Ferrari F 458, Ferrari 458 GT2, Maserati MC1216.20 - 16.30 Silver Sting Porshe 997 GT3, BMW Z4 GT3, BMW B6 Alpina GT16.30 - 16.40 Hungaroring rent-a-race car, Suzuki Swift Cup Europe16.40 - 16.50 Scuderia Ferrari – Kimi Raikkönen16.50 - 17.00 InfinitiRed Bull Racing , NASCAR (Toyota Camry), World Series by Renault
Remember, this event will cause some disruptions to transport and traffic, for details click here. There is also a VIP party specifically at the Várkert Bazar, however, it seems tickets for this event have sold out. Nevertheless, don't worry, you can still enjoy the event form other nearby areas, join the Facebook event for updates. And finally, don't forget May 1 is also a public holiday in Hungary, so there'll be many others enjoying this action-packed event with you!
