Hungarian Grand Prix: Stage Preview

      The Hungarian Grand Prix will take place for the 41st time this year. In 1986, the Formula 1 race in the People's Republic of Hungary seemed exotic, but years have passed, the name of the country and the ruling regime have changed, the world has experienced many upheavals and a pandemic, yet at the end of July - beginning of August, Formula 1 once again gathers full stands at the hot Hungaroring.

      The town of Mogyoród near Budapest is now known not so much for the battle of King Solomon with his cousins in the 11th century, but for the duels between Piquet and Senna, the race that Damon Hill almost won in an Arrows, and the battles between Häkkinen and Coulthard, Verstappen and Hamilton.

      Overtaking at the Hungaroring is difficult, and races often turn out to be boring, but over the years, many tracks with similar characteristics have emerged, yet without history and with incomparably smaller audiences. For Budapest, the Formula 1 event is still a bright celebration that doesn't even need loud pop stars to attract spectators to the Grand Prix in Middle Eastern countries.

      The atmosphere of the Hungaroring is compared to the best races of the eighties, not just because, during the weekend, local authorities will declare an amnesty for women with low social responsibility, as they did back then. That time is irretrievably gone, although the women have surely remained.

      Now it is an ordinary European race. There are no longer buses filled with Russian and Finnish fans carrying canisters of cheap and delicious Hungarian wine, which would reach a peak of euphoria by the start of the race. No one passes ten people on two tickets anymore, as control is now automatic. And the competition for the longest fishing rod with a flag is also gone.

      Those who have the opportunity can choose, and the sun-baked Hungaroring does not seem like the best choice. But there is still something special about this event.

      Several champions achieved their first victories in Formula 1 at this track – Damon Hill in 1993, Fernando Alonso in 2003, Jenson Button in 2006. Two champions were crowned here – Nigel Mansell in 1992 and Michael Schumacher in 2001.

      This year, the season's climax is still far off, but the battle for victory will be tight and equal; no one can tell you in advance who will win at the Hungaroring in 2026.

      The Hungarian stage is always associated with summer vacation, marking the end of the first part of the season. This year, after the cancellation of two Middle Eastern races, it will only be the eleventh event. A few days after the finish will be spent on tire tests and returning to the base, after which everyone will head off on vacation.

      The teams' bases will be closed for two weeks. Everyone is in a vacation mood, with the only break ahead in the marathon that started on February 20 at the winter tests in Bahrain, but when and where it will end is still unknown.