Google+ Jack Leslie F1: F1 Flashback - Hungarian Grand Prix Memories

23 July 2014

F1 Flashback - Hungarian Grand Prix Memories

This weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, held at the Hungaroring, is the 29th time that it has appeared on the Formula 1 calendar. 
© Williams/LAT
Just one track has hosted the race and it has produced some amazing and memorable moments over the years. Here are just a few. 

A stunning drive 


The 1989 Hungarian Grand Prix was probably one of Nigel Mansell’s greatest races in F1, after he climbed from 12th to first (on a track that has always been notoriously tricky to overtake on) to score his second Ferrari win. After passing Ayrton Senna in spectacular style with 20 laps to go, he drove off into the distance to take victory by 26 seconds. 

Always look both ways 


Admit it. You knew this one was coming - the famous moment when Taki Inoue was hit by the medical car – an absolute classic. 

Hill stars 

Damon Hill stunned the paddock at the 1997 Hungarian Grand Prix by qualifying third on the grid in his Arrows. The tight and twisty nature of the track meant he didn’t suffer so much with his poor Yamaha engine. 

 In the race he passed Michael Schumacher for the lead and looked set to win before a hydraulics failure near the end allowed his former team-mate Jacques Villeneuve to pass him and take the victory. He eventually finished second, just ahead of Johnny Herbert. 

Button finally finishes first 



It took 113 attempts but at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix, Jenson Button finally clinched his first F1 win. The Brit started down in 14th thanks to an engine change penalty, but drove through the field in wet/dry conditions before moving into the lead after Fernando Alonso crashed out with a loose wheel. He ended up finishing 30 seconds clear of his nearest rival. 

A change in fortunes 

The 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix marked a change in fortunes for McLaren, who had previously suffered a disastrous start to the season. Of course the big story over the weekend was Felipe Massa’s accident on Saturday during the second qualifying segment, after debris (a spring from the rear suspension damper of Rubens Barrichello’s car) struck his helmet above the left eye and knocked him unconscious at 162mph. 

© Wikimedia Commons
He was forced to skip the rest of the season but fortunately recovered from his injuries. Fernando Alonso took pole position and led the first 13 laps before Lewis Hamilton took over at the front. He cruised to the victory by 11 seconds – it was his first podium of the year and followed five consecutive non-scores. 

The master of mixed conditions 

Button’s second victory in Hungary followed a fantastic drive in mixed conditions, battling hard with his team-mate and completing the correct strategy call to win by 3.5 seconds from Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton in the second McLaren had looked likely to challenge the Brit but a poor strategy call and a drive-through meant he could only recover to fourth.

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