24 - 26 July 2026
Hungarian GRAND PRIX ROUND 13
Hungaroring
- FP1Fri 24 Jul11:3012:30
- FP2Fri 24 Jul15:0016:00
- FP3Sat 25 Jul10:3011:30
- QualifyingSat 25 Jul14:0015:00
- RaceSun 26 Jul13:0015:00
SECTORS
TURNS
FIRST GP
1986
LAPS
70
CIRCUIT LENGTH
4.381
DISTANCE
306.63
Hungary for more
Appropriately known as ‘Monaco without the walls’, the Hungaroring is a tight, twisting circuit on the outskirts of Budapest, and while it is not quite a Monaco replica, it is very much a maximum downforce circuit, with a strong qualifying bias.
Teams will set up with a strong front end to counter plenty of understeer – but also soften their suspension settings to allow drivers to ride the kerbs through the middle of the lap.
The Hungarian Grand Prix has been ever-present on the calendar since 1986, and although the circuit has more corners than was originally the case, the original character remains intact. For Formula 1, the Hungaroring is like a scaled-up karting circuit: an excellent challenge for a qualifying lap, but sometimes frustrating in a race situation where overtaking opportunities are few and far between.
But drivers love the challenge that it presents, and in recent years we've seen several dramatic and entertaining races, despite how difficult it is to overtake. The circuit supports a variety of tyre strategies, which has made for tense and very watchable races.
We have a record 13 wins in Hungary, including three for Lewis Hamilton, one of which was F1’s first hybrid engine victory in 2007. The Hungaroring was the site of Oscar’s first F1 victory in 2024 and hosted McLaren’s 200th Grand Prix win the year after, as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished first and second for our 49th 1-2.
Welcome to Budapest! 🇭🇺
Get to know
more
There’s a karting track located within metres of the Hungaroring, and it's often joked that it’s hard to tell the difference between the two, which isn’t entirely untrue. Jammed full of slow corners and with a lack of straights, the circuit does have the feel of a karting track.
It also feels somewhat similar to Monaco, but without the walls. High downforce and good grip are important for navigating the narrow winding turns in Hungary, and teams will generally prioritise Qualifying pace over race pace due to the lack of overtaking opportunities.
But that’s not to say it isn’t entertaining - far from it. There’s time to be gained from pushing the limits, but mistakes are punished, which makes for a scintillating watch. The circuit isn’t entirely devoid of overtaking opportunities either - Turns 10-12, in particular, are well worth your time as cars set themselves up for a move ahead of two tight turns and the main straight.
Unsurprisingly, Qualifying is a must-watch, as the circuit’s tight and technical nature really gets the best out of a Formula 1 car. The Hungaroring is also known to get a little dusty, which can result in a dramatic end to the session as the tarmac cleans up and becomes quicker.
Stuck for conversation with your F1-loving friends? Spark up a discussion with our F1 icebreaker…
Lewis Hamilton’s 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix victory for McLaren was the first hybrid engine victory in F1. 15 years later, Pato O’Ward’s win in Mid-Ohio made Arrow McLaren the first team to win in IndyCar’s hybrid engine era.
Looking back on 2025
