A history of the Hungarian Grand Prix
Although Hungary is not the first country that springs to mind when you think of F1 - the country actually held its first grand prix in June 1936 on a 3.1mile circuit in a Budapest park. The race was won by Tazio Nuvolari in an Alfa Romeo. Politics and war, however, meant the end to racing in the country for fifty years.
In 1986 the Hungarian Grand Prix featured on the world championship calendar for the first time - and it was the first race to take place behind the Iron Curtain. Despite high ticket costs the event attracted 200,000 spectators. Always run in the middle of the European summer, Hungary did not have a wet grand prix until 2006.
Due to under-use the twisty circuit is often dusty and lacks grip, and it is also a notoriously difficult to overtake on. Thierry Boutsen used this to his advantage in 1990 keeping his much slower Williams ahead of that year's champion elect Ayrton Senna.
Although a good qualifying position is key to winning in Hungary, many a race has also been won by pit-stop strategy. Schumacher won the 1998 event when his team changed his strategy mid-race, enabling him to build up a huge lead.
There is always an exception to every rule and in Hungary it is Nigel Mansell. In 1989 he qualified 12th but put in a powerful performance passing car after car to win the race. This achievement was only bettered the 2006 rain hit race when Jenson Button won from 14th. In 2009 it was confirmed that Hungary would remain in the world championship calendar until 2016.
