Leading the F1 standings, 2021 champion Max Verstappen is clear favourite to win the Hungarian Grand Prix for the first time. The young Dutch driver will face his greatest challenge from Monaco’s Charles Leclerc and the UK’s Lewis Hamilton, a record eight-time winner in Budapest.
Venue for the Hungarian Grand Prix since it was established as Formula 1’s first venture behind the Iron Curtain in 1986, the Hungaroring is located 20km outside Budapest in Mogyoród. Always held in the height of summer, the event is a fans’ favourite, with parties taking place across the city.
The Hungarian Grand Prix actually dates back to 1936 when 100,000 gathered in Népliget to see great Italian pre-war star Tazio Nuvolari, ‘The Flying Mantovani’, drive his Alfa Romeo into first place. Another finisher was Hungarian László Hartmann, who two years later died after crashing his car into the palm trees lining the circuit in Tripoli, Libya. Few Magyars have featured in Formula 1 since.
Fifty years after the first Hungarian Grand Prix, a modern-day circuit was set up at Mogyoród. Initially, then F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, keen to expand the brand behind the Iron Curtain, was in discussion with Moscow, before he turned his attention to Budapest.
Various venues were considered – Ecclestone was also understood to be looking at a Monaco-type course around streets in the city centre – before Mogyoród was settled upon.
Circuit
The layout, created by computer, was devised by engineers István Papp and István Gulácsi. The circuit was originally 4km in length, but since then reconstruction has extended it to 4.4km, with 14 turns. The twisting track is tricky and dusty, a real trial of strength for the drivers in the heat.
The Hungaroring is built in the middle of a broad valley. Approximately 80% of the course is visible from every seat, making it ideal for spectators.
Tickets & information
Tickets are only available for Friday and Saturday via this portal. Everything else has completely sold out. For all other information, see here.
How to get there
By public transport: Ticket holders are entitled to free bus transfers to Gate 3 of the Hungaroring at Mogyoród from Kerepes HÉV station, accessible on the H8 line from Örs vezér tere. Those with travel passes, will need to buy an extension supplement from the city limits at Ilonatelep to Kerepes.
By car: Traffic jams are notoriously bad on the roads that surround Mogyoród during the race weekend, and parking at Hungaroring’s free spaces (by gates 2 & 8) is a particularly daunting prospect. Directions to Mogyoród from central Budapest are fairly straightforward, taking motorway M3 and leaving via Gate 19. Make sure you have a motorway pass and fill up the tank in case of traffic jams. The GPS code for the main gate is N 47° 35' 0.5" E 19° 14' 33.45"
By taxi: To reach the track from Budapest, the taxi company recommended by Hungaroring is 6×6 Taxi. An average fare from the city centre is €40, from Budapest Airport around €60.
By helicopter: Combine deluxe sightseeing with a quick and comfortable ride from Budapest Prestige Heliport (located on the Pest riverfront in District XIII) directly to the track at prices from €193 per person one-way. Check this page for details.
Watching the race
For those who can’t make it to the races, the Grand Prix is broadcast live at numerous hangouts around Budapest, including Jack Doyle’s in the city centre, Winners and Stifler on Erzsébet körút.
For something a little more upscale, there’s the L.A. Night Grand Prix Opening Party at the Marriott, taking place tonight, Friday 29 July, from 9pm. Admission with registration (by 5pm today, Friday) is 5,000 forints, otherwise, it’s 7,000 forints. Smart dress preferred!
