Astounding aerial acrobatics and vintage aircraft filled the skies above Budapest for the Red Bull Air Race events this weekend, when thousands of spectators watched Czech pilot Martin Sonka win the main competition with impressive airborne skills in gusty conditions. However, the entire high-flying extravaganza faces future turbulence as Budapest Mayor István Tarlós made a public vow on Monday morning to stop hosting the annual Air Race, citing the event’s inherent street closures and noise pollution as too onerous for city residents to bear, despite the show’s enduring success.

In every year except one since 2003, Budapest has consistently hosted the annual Red Bull Air Race series, held within the airspace over several major world cities to create extraordinary stunt-flying spectacles with notable landmarks for skyline backdrops. Budapest’s race is considered to be a series highlight for its starting line – competitors begin by flying underneath the Chain Bridge, a feat perfected by living-legend Hungarian stunt pilot Péter Besenyei. A video posted on Red Bull’s YouTube channel over the weekend showcases the difficulty of this challenge:

Budapest’s 2018 Red Bull Air Race concluded on Sunday as an estimated 135,000 spectators watched Czech competitor Martin Sonka earn his first win of the season, followed by young Frenchman Mika Brageot in second place and Australia’s Matt Hall taking third. Red Bull posted video footage of Sonka’s winning lap for a bird’s-eye view of the victory:

However, after all competitors in Budapest’s Red Bull Air Race had flown into the horizon, Mayor Tarlós gave a televised interview on Monday morning in which he apologised to all city residents for the inconvenience brought about by the event, and vowed to bar it from happening again while he serves in office. Although no final decisions have been made regarding the future of this annual event, We Love Budapest will keep readers informed with relevant news. Regardless, we congratulate Mr. Sonka on his soaring achievement.