Hungarian Grand Prix

Although Hungary first hosted a grand prix in the 1930s, the Second World War and the advent of the Iron Curtain meant motor racing in Eastern Europe was seriously limited until the late 60s.

In the 1980s Bernie Ecclestone looked to introduce a race behind the Iron Curtain, looking initially at Moscow before turning to Budapest, with a plan to run a race on a temporary road circuit in the city centre.

Organisers made the bold move to build a completely new circuit in a valley 12 miles from Budapest; the circuit was completed in just eight months and the landscape offering amazing spectators facilities with around 80% of the circuit visible from any vantage point.

The circuit held its first race in August 1986; it was a huge success attracting a crowd of nearly 200,000. The tight and twisty track has offered some excellent close races over the years, notably the 1990 race when Thierry Boutson won the race by less than 0.3 of a second from Ayrton Senna. The circuit is loved by some and considered twisty, hot and dusty by others.

Claire Furnell November 2009