The 11th round of the 2016 Formula 1 season takes place at the Hungaroring, situated near the city of Budapest.
Following a rare two-week break in the F1 calendar, the series returns to Hungary for the 31st time, after the race debuted back in 1986.
Few changes have been made to the Hungaroring over the years, meaning the track has retained its character and charm. The majority of the old layout remains, with tweaks being made to the start of the final sector for 1989.
Further modifications were made to the last part of the lap for the 2003 round. The back straight was extended and a new 90-degree right-hander was introduced.
Elsewhere, the length of the start/finish straight was increased slightly to allow for the first corner hairpin to be sharpened.
The track is a short drive from Budapest, which is Hungary’s capital city. It is packed full of rich history, stunning architecture and has a relaxed vibe. It is a popular venue on the F1 calendar, and temperatures are typically warm.
The first wet Hungarian Grand Prix only took place in 2006 and was won by Jenson Button. He is unlikely to add to his tally of victories at the circuit this year thanks to McLaren Honda’s continued struggles.
Fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton shares the most number of wins at the track with Michael Schumacher, both having taken victory at the Hungaroring four times. Ayrton Senna is next up with three triumphs, while McLaren and Williams lead the constructors with 11 and seven wins respectively.
A lap of the 2.722-mile track starts on the long start/finish straight, with the exit of the pitlane to the right on the downhill run to the first corner.
Turn 1 is undoubtedly the best overtaking spot on the circuit, particularly with the positioning of the first DRS zone, and is a slow right-hand hairpin.
Turn 2 is next up, with the medium-speed, long left-hander also being a good place to pass. The second DRS zone is situated on the straight that leads to the second corner. Next up is the fast right-hand kink of Turn 3, before another short straight.
The uphill run concludes the first sector of the lap, with the fast left of Turn 4 swiftly following. The quick corner leads onto the long right-hand hairpin of Turn 5, before another short burst of power. The sixth and seventh corners make up a tight right-left chicane, which can be a passing spot in the early laps.
The rest of the second sector is twisty and challenging, with Turn 8 being a medium-speed left. Next up is the sweeping right-left-right complex of Turns 9, 10 and 11. The second sector ends on the following straight and kicks off with the 90-degree right-hander of Turn 12.
Two slow hairpins (one left, one right) conclude the lap. The pitlane entry cuts inside the final corner. It is a tricky layout to master, particularly in wet conditions, and largely features a mix of slow and medium-speed corners.
Overtaking is notoriously difficult, not helped by the fact that high downforce levels are required.
Mechanical grip and traction are both vital for a quick car at the Hungaroring, while engine power is less important. The low-grip surface and slow corners have prompted Pirelli to bring the medium, soft and super-soft compounds.
Mercedes remains the team to beat (I’ve typed that out too many times now) heading to Hungary, but the Red Bull RB12 is likely to be well suited to the track. Meanwhile Ferrari could benefit from the warmer temperatures and the high-downforce levels won’t be an ideal match for Williams.
Hungarian Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Track Length: 2.722 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 14
Laps: 70
First race: 1986
Lap record: 1m19.071, Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004
Tyre compounds: Medium, soft and super-soft
2015 race winner: Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2015 pole position: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m22.020
2015 fastest lap: Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1m24.821
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and Channel 4
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
Few changes have been made to the Hungaroring over the years, meaning the track has retained its character and charm. The majority of the old layout remains, with tweaks being made to the start of the final sector for 1989.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
Further modifications were made to the last part of the lap for the 2003 round. The back straight was extended and a new 90-degree right-hander was introduced.
Elsewhere, the length of the start/finish straight was increased slightly to allow for the first corner hairpin to be sharpened.
The track is a short drive from Budapest, which is Hungary’s capital city. It is packed full of rich history, stunning architecture and has a relaxed vibe. It is a popular venue on the F1 calendar, and temperatures are typically warm.
The first wet Hungarian Grand Prix only took place in 2006 and was won by Jenson Button. He is unlikely to add to his tally of victories at the circuit this year thanks to McLaren Honda’s continued struggles.
Fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton shares the most number of wins at the track with Michael Schumacher, both having taken victory at the Hungaroring four times. Ayrton Senna is next up with three triumphs, while McLaren and Williams lead the constructors with 11 and seven wins respectively.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
A lap of the 2.722-mile track starts on the long start/finish straight, with the exit of the pitlane to the right on the downhill run to the first corner.
Turn 1 is undoubtedly the best overtaking spot on the circuit, particularly with the positioning of the first DRS zone, and is a slow right-hand hairpin.
Turn 2 is next up, with the medium-speed, long left-hander also being a good place to pass. The second DRS zone is situated on the straight that leads to the second corner. Next up is the fast right-hand kink of Turn 3, before another short straight.
The uphill run concludes the first sector of the lap, with the fast left of Turn 4 swiftly following. The quick corner leads onto the long right-hand hairpin of Turn 5, before another short burst of power. The sixth and seventh corners make up a tight right-left chicane, which can be a passing spot in the early laps.
The rest of the second sector is twisty and challenging, with Turn 8 being a medium-speed left. Next up is the sweeping right-left-right complex of Turns 9, 10 and 11. The second sector ends on the following straight and kicks off with the 90-degree right-hander of Turn 12.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
Two slow hairpins (one left, one right) conclude the lap. The pitlane entry cuts inside the final corner. It is a tricky layout to master, particularly in wet conditions, and largely features a mix of slow and medium-speed corners.
Overtaking is notoriously difficult, not helped by the fact that high downforce levels are required.
Mechanical grip and traction are both vital for a quick car at the Hungaroring, while engine power is less important. The low-grip surface and slow corners have prompted Pirelli to bring the medium, soft and super-soft compounds.
Mercedes remains the team to beat (I’ve typed that out too many times now) heading to Hungary, but the Red Bull RB12 is likely to be well suited to the track. Meanwhile Ferrari could benefit from the warmer temperatures and the high-downforce levels won’t be an ideal match for Williams.
Hungarian Grand Prix Fact File:
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Track Length: 2.722 miles
Direction: Clockwise
Turns: 14
Laps: 70
First race: 1986
Lap record: 1m19.071, Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004
Tyre compounds: Medium, soft and super-soft
2015 race winner: Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2015 pole position: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m22.020
2015 fastest lap: Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1m24.821
Live on: Sky Sports F1 and Channel 4
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