Hungaroring
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Image:Circuit Hungaroring.png | |
| Location | Mogyoród, Hungary |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT +1 |
| Major events | F1, GP2 |
| Circuit Length | 4.381 km (2.722 mi) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Lap Record | 1:19.071 (Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004) |
The Hungaroring is a Formula 1 racing circuit near Budapest, Hungary where the Hungarian Grand Prix is held. In 1986, it became the location of the first Formula 1 Grand Prix behind the Iron Curtain. Bernie Ecclestone wanted a race in the USSR, but a Hungarian friend of his recommended Budapest. They wanted a street circuit similar to the Circuit de Monaco to be built in the Népliget - Budapest's largest park - but the government decided to build a new circuit just outside the city near a major highway. They started to build the circuit on October 1, 1985. It was built in eight months, less time than any other Formula 1 circuit. The first race was held on March 24, 1986 in memory of János Drapál, the first Hungarian who won motorcycle GP races.
Contents |
[edit] Description
Held in the middle of a central European summer, it is a circuit in the Grand Prix calendar that saw its first wet race in the 2006 season. The circuit is generally dusty due to underuse throughout the season and being built on sandy soil. The track's being in a natural valley explains that about 80 percent of the racetrack is visible from any point[1].
Normally an underused circuit becomes faster over the weekend as the track rubbers in; however, with the Hungaroring this generally does not happen because the track can get dusty so quickly. This is a circuit where there is often a heightened advantage to running late in qualifying.
Due to the twisty style of the circuit overtaking is difficult. Nonetheless, the Hungaroring has been the scene of several memorable races such as the duels of Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell's lost wheel in 1987, Mansell's win from 12th on the grid in 1989, Damon Hill's race with an Arrows in 1997, maiden wins for Fernando Alonso in 2003 and Jenson Button in 2006 in the track's first ever wet grand prix, and others.
[edit] Drivers
Hungaroring has crowned two drivers in its 20 year history: both Nigel Mansell in 1992 and Michael Schumacher in 2001 were able to win the World Championship title at early points of the seasons. Moreover, both Hungary's Zsolt Baumgartner and Poland's Robert Kubica made their debut on this track as the first F1 drivers of their countries. The WilliamsF1 Team also secured the Constructors' Championship at the Hungaroring in 1996.
The 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix was the first wet grand prix at the Hungaroring. This saw the retirement of many drivers including championship rivals Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher and gave Jenson Button and the reborn Honda F1 team their first win. Fernando Alonso also earned his first Grand Prix victory at this in 2003, declaring it his favorite track as a result.
According to statements and interviews, drivers have different opinions on the track. While many like Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher, and Fernando Alonso claimed to love it, many others consider the track, and the Hungarian Grand Prix too slow, hot and demanding. The technical driving center of the Hungaroring held former racer Gerhard Berger's name from 1998 until 2005 but later it was changed to Allianz.
The track also has a curve named after Nigel Mansell.
[edit] Past Winners
[edit] Fans
While most of the foreign fans are from Germany and Austria, the Hungaroring has traditionally seen a large influx of Finnish fans as well. With the loss of the Austrian Grand Prix, this is the closest Formula One event for fans from other central European countries. The 2006 race saw many spectators from Poland due to the debut of their first Formula 1 driver, Robert Kubica.
Some say that the Hungaroring is similar in style to Circuit de Monaco, due to its tight and twisty corners. A first change in the track layout was carried out in 1989, when the chicane after the actual turn 3 was removed. In 2003, the main straight (turn 1, see diagram) was lengthened by roughly 200 m, and the hairpin at the end of the straight was also tightened in an attempt to facilitate more overtaking opportunities, as well as a tightening of what was Turn 13. However, this is largely seen to have failed. The circuit is almost flat, the only notable change in elevation being a valley in the straight after Turn 3.
The contract was prolonged until 2011, although tobacco advertising will be banned starting in 2007.
The Hungaroring is the home of Hungarian motorsport. Besides Formula One, there were also DTM, FIA GT Championship races in its history. A public drag race event takes place every month.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Official Website of the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix
- Hungaroring Circuit History and Statistics
- Satellite picture by Google Maps
- Ciro Pabón's Racetracks 3D views and virtual laps of all F1 circuits, including this one, via Google Earth
[edit] See also
Circuits of the Formula One World Championship |
|---|
Current Circuits (2008 season): Future Circuits: Former Circuits: |
Superbike World Championship circuits |
|---|
Current Circuits (2007): |
ca:Circuit d'Hungaroring de:Hungaroring es:Hungaroring fr:Hungaroring id:Hungaroring it:Hungaroring lv:Hungaroringa hu:Hungaroring nl:Hungaroring ja:ハンガロリンク no:Hungaroring pl:Hungaroring pt:Hungaroring ro:Circuitul Hungaroring ru:Хунгароринг sl:Hungaroring sr:Хунгароринг fi:Hungaroring
