The Hungarian GP returns to the Formula 1 calendar this weekend. The schedule below gives a full breakdown of practice, qualifying and the race.
Max Verstappen comes into the weekend looking for another victory at a track where he won last year from 10th on the grid. He leads his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by 99 points in the championship standings.
The Hungaroring
The Hungaroring was first built in 1986 and was the location of the inaugural Formula One race behind the Iron Curtain. Its twisting turns and lack of long straights have made it a popular circuit with fans and drivers alike. The track also features a number of different surface types, which can make it tricky for the drivers to get maximum grip on their tires.
This can often lead to some exciting overtaking. In addition, the Hungaroring is known for being a tough place to pass due to its tight corners and short straights. The circuit also features a series of kerbs that can be particularly difficult for drivers to negotiate.
If you’re looking to watch the race from a grandstand, it’s important to choose one that offers good views of the circuit’s key corners. The Silver 3 and 6 grandstands offer great views of the final corner, which is a crucial part of the circuit. You’ll also be able to see the start-finish straight from this grandstand, so you can catch any passes that may be made along it.
It’s also worth noting that the Hungaroring is usually quite dusty, as it’s infrequently used and the summer heat can build up a lot of rubber residue. This can have an effect on the cars, as they struggle to maintain traction on the dry asphalt.
There is a water park located near the circuit, which can be a useful way to cool off from the relentless summer heat. However, if you’d rather stay close to the action, there are several official taxi companies that can take you directly from the city center to the circuit. These include TaxiPlus, 6 x 6, and City Taxi.
The Hungaroring is a popular Formula 1 destination for fans, as it’s easily accessible from much of Europe. It’s also relatively cheap, with tickets costing between €90 and €140 for the weekend. In addition, the circuit is very well-organized for fans and offers a wide range of food and drink options. It’s also worth noting that the racing at the Hungaroring is usually very intense and dramatic.
The track
This weekend Formula 1 heads to Hungary for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the famous Hungaroring. It’s a race that has featured every single world champion since the series returned to Hungary in 1986, including Max Verstappen last year who won from 10th on the grid in a thrilling race.
The track has a reputation for being one of the most technical in the calendar. It’s also a place that divides opinion among drivers. Some, like Lewis Hamilton, love it while others find it demanding, slow and hot.
As with most F1 circuits, the key to success at Budapest is finding a balance between speed and grip. The long straights can be a real slog for drivers as they burn through their tyres, while the tight corners require precise driving to avoid running off the track.
It’s a circuit that suits drivers with a lot of power who can put the power down. This is why many of the top drivers are tipped to be in contention this weekend, particularly Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. McLaren’s Lando Norris is also likely to be in the mix after a P2 finish last time out.
Qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix takes place on Saturday at 16:00 local time and is split into three sessions. Each session will run for a total of 60 minutes.
The race takes place on Sunday at 15:00 local time and will last either 70 laps or two hours, whichever is shorter. The Hungarian Grand Prix is known for being a very fast race with lots of action, so it’s not uncommon to see overtaking and battles for position throughout the field.
The best vantage points for the action are in the grandstands at Turn 1, Turn 3, and Turn 5. The turns are tight, making overtaking difficult, so it’s important to plan your seating strategically. If you want to watch the action from the best seats, you can get access to them with a ticket package from F1 Experiences. Their VIP ticket packages include a range of exclusive trackside activities and premium views of the circuit.
The atmosphere
There’s always a buoyant atmosphere at the Hungarian Grand Prix, with the event long since losing its reputation as a joyless procession. The Hungaroring may not have the history of Monaco or the majesty of Silverstone, but it still offers an excellent race and some impressive spectating. Those who visit the track can enjoy great food and drink, as well as a lively and entertaining crowd.
This year’s event takes place from 22 to 23 July at the iconic circuit in Mogyorod. It’s a compact circuit built into hills just outside the city, and it’s known for its fast corners and tense race. The circuit has been a part of the FIA Formula 1 calendar since 1986, and has attracted many legendary drivers.
Max Verstappen is the clear favourite to win this weekend, and for good reason. The Dutchman won last year’s race from 10th on the grid and even took a spin during the closing stages! He’s currently cruising to a third world championship title, and has a 99-point lead over Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in second.
He also has a fantastic record at the Hungaroring, winning eight of his past nine races at the circuit. The model is very high on Verstappen, but it’s also pretty high on Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who has won at least one of the previous six races this season.
The model has nailed Verstappen’s wins in Belgium, Italy, Japan, the US, Mexico and Abu Dhabi, and it’s also projected him to win the Hungary Grand Prix. The model has been calling races correctly for over three years now, so if you want to get in on the action, head over to SportsLine now.
UK viewers can watch live coverage of all the practice sessions, qualifying and race on Sky Sports F1. It’s a free-to-air channel for those with a valid subscription. Alternatively, you can tune in to BBC Radio 5 live coverage from 17:00 BST on Sunday for live commentary and pre-race build up.
The drivers
The Formula 1 paddock returns to Hungary for the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix at the legendary Hungaroring circuit in Mogyorad. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will be looking for a seventh straight victory at the track and is on course to secure his third world championship title. He will be pushed by Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, as well as his teammate Sergio Perez. Lando Norris will be hoping to add to his solid run of results for McLaren after a P2 finish at Silverstone last time out. And finally Daniel Ricciardo makes his return to the grid at AlphaTauri, replacing Nyck De Vries for the rest of the season.
Qualifying kicked off on Saturday with the drivers using hard tyres for the first session. Zhou Guanyu set the pace in his Alfa Romeo, ahead of Verstappen and Sergio Perez. But the Red Bulls were in a class of their own, with Verstappen setting a lap of 1:30.402 to take pole position and beat teammate Hamilton into second place by 0.003 seconds.
Q2 saw the drivers use mediums for the session and the order was much the same. It was a close battle, with Verstappen edging out Hamilton to take second again, while Stroll and his Williams teammate slipped down to ninth and tenth. The top 10 were completed by Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren’s Fernando Alonso, Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and the Toro Rosso’s Esteban Ocon.
On Sunday, the drivers will race on soft tyres for the first two segments of the race. During these sessions, the drivers will set their fastest laps of the weekend and determine their starting positions for the final segment, which is the Grand Prix race. The first and second segment will both run for 30 minutes. The Grand Prix race will start at 15:00 local circuit time on Sunday and will last for either 70 or 120 laps depending on which is shorter.
The Hungarian Grand Prix is a must-see event for any Formula 1 fan. Experience the best views of the action with premium tickets from F1 Experiences. Choose from a range of exclusive packages including the Hungarian Grand Prix Champions Club and Formula 1 Paddock Club.
