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In August, the fortieth consecutive version of the Hungarian Grand Prix takes place. It is going to accomplish that at a new-look Hungaroring. Károly Méhes explores what has modified on the observe over the winter.
When the Hungarian Grand Prix first came about as a spherical of the World Championship in 1986, it was like an earthquake to the Socialist camp. The 1986 Hungarian Grand Prix was the primary Method 1 race to happen behind the Iron Curtain. Till not too long ago, the Hungarian Grand Prix has been one of the crucial conventional occasions on the F1 calendar, the services having modified little since F1’s first go to. However forward of the 2025 race, it was time for issues to alter.
To place it mildly, the services of the Hungaroring had been outdated. Forty years are forty years, nearly historical past. When Liberty Media and the FIA agreed to increase the contract of the Hungaroring till 2032 they gave laborious homework to the locals: they need to – or, quite, should – reconstruct the entire paddock, management tower and grandstand, along with the start-finish straight.
It’s a part of the legend of the observe that the Hungaroring was inbuilt simply ten months from September 1985 till June 1986. Now, for the second time the Hungarians have managed the identical feat. Solely days after the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix came about final July, large bulldozers and grabbers took the place of the F1 vehicles and inside weeks, the previous Hungaroring buildings disappeared.
On June 19, 2025 the new-look Hungaroring was offered to the press – and the result’s breathtaking. It’s a state of artwork facility and the previous F1 journalist, like me, in fact, has some nostalgic sorrow. On the identical time there’s additionally a way of happiness and positivity, as a result of this observe has a shiny long run future – presumably nicely past 2032.
Some naked information: the prices of the upgrades had been within the area of €195 million. It was principally coated by the Hungarian authorities, taking into account that the Grand Prix is the most effective visited sport occasion in Hungary and in addition among the finest advertising instruments for the nation.
Altogether the newly constructed areas make 19 sq. meters, and the brand new paddock is a small surprise: the second greatest on the F1 calendar after Silverstone. Only one instance: a single storage was once 4 by 12 meters. The brand new one? 7 by 21 metres.
The well-known previous Marlboro bridge has vanished, too, that means the pedestrian visitors will traverse via a brand new tunnel, below the principle straight. Zsolt Gyulai, President of Hungaroring Ltd highlighted that the FIA already makes use of the Hungaroring for example for different tracks that are as a result of endure the identical process.
Alternatively, the President additionally added that the works don’t cease right here and now, since for the approaching yr there are plans to construct a brand new media parking zone, in addition to a brand new grandstand on the last nook, Flip 14. Nonetheless, the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, the fortieth in a row, shall be a milestone and a brand new starting. Possibly even the beginning of the second 40 years…!
The 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix takes place on August 1-3. A restricted variety of tickets stay accessible. Be taught extra concerning the Hungaroring in our intensive journey information.
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