# Hungarian Grand Prix
The Hungarian Grand Prix is a [Formula One World Championship](https://www.edgepedia.org/formula-one-world-championship) race held at the [Hungaroring](https://www.edgepedia.org/hungaroring) near Budapest, Hungary, first run to the championship in 1986 and, since 2021, contracted to remain on the calendar until 2032. The 4.381 km, 14-turn circuit hosts a 70-lap race of 306.63 km, and the event was the first Formula One Grand Prix held behind the [Iron Curtain](https://www.edgepedia.org/iron-curtain).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First championship race | 10 August 1986, won by Nelson Piquet[1](https://hungaroring.hu/site/en/about-us/history-of-the-track) |
| Circuit | Hungaroring, 4.381 km, 14 turns[2](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/circuit-guide-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hungaroring.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh) |
| Race format | 70 laps, 306.63 km[2](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/circuit-guide-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hungaroring.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh) |
| Calendar status | Contracted to Formula 1 until 2032[3](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/formula-1-to-race-in-hungary-until-2032.hKn4fTq1yH00eDOYi3Pbg) |
| Most wins (driver) | Lewis Hamilton, 8[2](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/circuit-guide-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hungaroring.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh) |
| Most wins (team) | McLaren, 13[2](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/circuit-guide-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hungaroring.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh) |
| Maiden F1 victories | Damon Hill, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Heikki Kovalainen, Esteban Ocon, and Oscar Piastri[4](https://hungaroring.hu/site/en/races/hungarian-gp-2027) |
## Origins and construction
Hungary hosted a Grand Prix before [Formula One](https://www.edgepedia.org/formula-one) existed: the 1936 Hungarian Grand Prix was run in the Népliget park in Budapest, and the circuit there remained open for racing until 1972[2](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/circuit-guide-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hungaroring.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh). In the early 1980s Formula 1 boss [Bernie Ecclestone](https://www.edgepedia.org/bernie-ecclestone) sought a race behind the Iron Curtain and negotiated first with the Soviet Union over a Moscow race, before Hungary took the project on[5](https://www.grandprix.com/circuits/hungaroring.html). Rather than revive the Népliget park circuit, the Hungarian government built a purpose-built facility at Mogyoród outside Budapest[6](https://www.formula1.com/en/information/hungary-hungaroring-budapest.3Sz0BTKiIf7ov9bnezZ5dU).
**A record build.** The Hungaroring was constructed in eight months, which the circuit's operator describes as a feat with hardly any similar examples, and the first Hungarian Grand Prix under Formula One rules was held on 10 August 1986[1](https://hungaroring.hu/site/en/about-us/history-of-the-track). It was the first Formula One Grand Prix held behind the Iron Curtain[1](https://hungaroring.hu/site/en/about-us/history-of-the-track). [Nelson Piquet](https://www.edgepedia.org/nelson-piquet) won that first race, famously passing [Ayrton Senna](https://www.edgepedia.org/ayrton-senna)'s Lotus around the outside[6](https://www.formula1.com/en/information/hungary-hungaroring-budapest.3Sz0BTKiIf7ov9bnezZ5dU).
## The circuit
The Hungaroring is a tight, twisty track with few straights, often compared to a karting circuit or described as "Monaco without walls"[6](https://www.formula1.com/en/information/hungary-hungaroring-budapest.3Sz0BTKiIf7ov9bnezZ5dU) • [7](https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/2019_hungarian_gp_preview_0.pdf). Teams run Monaco-level downforce, and chassis quality tends to be rewarded over engine power[6](https://www.formula1.com/en/information/hungary-hungaroring-budapest.3Sz0BTKiIf7ov9bnezZ5dU). The dusty surface and layout make overtaking difficult, with most moves made into Turn 1 and Turn 2 at the start of the lap[8](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/sports/how-to-watch-hungarian-grand-prix-live).
The track has been modified several times. A temporary chicane at Turn 3, originally built to avoid an underground spring, was removed, and the 2003 revision lengthened the main straight and tightened the first hairpin to encourage overtaking[2](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/circuit-guide-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hungaroring.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh). The original length of 4,014 meters was reduced to 3,975 meters, and the track has measured 4,381 meters for more than 15 years; the whole surface was resurfaced in 2016[1](https://hungaroring.hu/site/en/about-us/history-of-the-track). High lateral loads on tires combined with often high track temperatures put rubber under stress in Hungary[7](https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/2019_hungarian_gp_preview_0.pdf).
## History and records
The race has been a fixture of the calendar since 1986 and, by the circuit's own count, is the second track, behind only Monza, to have been permanently on the calendar[1](https://hungaroring.hu/site/en/about-us/history-of-the-track). In 2022, Formula 1 announced a contract extension keeping the Hungarian Grand Prix on the calendar until 2032[3](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/formula-1-to-race-in-hungary-until-2032.hKn4fTq1yH00eDOYi3Pbg).
The Hungaroring is a noted venue for first-time winners: [Damon Hill](https://www.edgepedia.org/damon-hill) (1993), [Fernando Alonso](https://www.edgepedia.org/fernando-alonso) (2003), [Jenson Button](https://www.edgepedia.org/jenson-button) (2006), Heikki Kovalainen, Esteban Ocon, and Oscar Piastri all took their maiden Grand Prix victories there[4](https://hungaroring.hu/site/en/races/hungarian-gp-2027). Lewis Hamilton holds the driver record with eight Hungarian wins, and McLaren leads all teams with 13 victories[2](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/circuit-guide-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hungaroring.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh). Michael Schumacher won four times there[1](https://hungaroring.hu/site/en/about-us/history-of-the-track).
## Recent racing
The 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, run on 26 July as round 11 of the championship, was won by [Lando Norris](https://www.edgepedia.org/lando-norris) from pole position, with [Max Verstappen](https://www.edgepedia.org/max-verstappen) second and [Andrea Kimi Antonelli](https://www.edgepedia.org/andrea-kimi-antonelli) third[9](https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2026). Norris had taken pole for McLaren, with Charles Leclerc second on the grid[10](https://www.techradar.com/how-to-watch/formula-one/hungarian-grand-prix-2026-f1-free).
The race is traditionally the final round before Formula One's summer break[11](https://note.com/formula1report/n/nce04f84fbe58?hl=en).
## References
1. [History of the Track, Hungaroring Sport ZRt.](https://hungaroring.hu/site/en/about-us/history-of-the-track)
2. [Circuit Guide: Everything you need to know about the Hungaroring, Formula 1](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/circuit-guide-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hungaroring.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh.4ddtLbzLWLRjli7Y793jqh)
3. [Formula 1 to race in Hungary until 2032, Formula 1](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/formula-1-to-race-in-hungary-until-2032.hKn4fTq1yH00eDOYi3Pbg)
4. [Hungaroring – More Than a Racetrack, Hungaroring Sport ZRt.](https://hungaroring.hu/site/en/races/hungarian-gp-2027)
5. [Hungaroring, Grandprix.com](https://www.grandprix.com/circuits/hungaroring.html)
6. [Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring – Budapest, Formula 1](https://www.formula1.com/en/information/hungary-hungaroring-budapest.3Sz0BTKiIf7ov9bnezZ5dU)
7. [2019 Hungarian Grand Prix Preview, FIA](https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/2019_hungarian_gp_preview_0.pdf)
8. [How to watch Hungarian Grand Prix 2025, Tom's Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/sports/how-to-watch-hungarian-grand-prix-live)
9. [F1 Schedule 2026 – Official Calendar, Formula 1](https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2026)
10. [How to watch Hungarian Grand Prix 2026 F1, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/how-to-watch/formula-one/hungarian-grand-prix-2026-f1-free)
11. [Hungarian GP Tire Analysis, Formula1 Report (note.com)](https://note.com/formula1report/n/nce04f84fbe58?hl=en)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Individual sports and outdoor recreation › Cycling and motor sport › Formula One and Grand Prix motor racing › Formula One Grands Prix by nation and event*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license