Formula 1 heads to Budapest for the 11th round of the 2021 season, the 36th consecutive Hungarian Grand Prix.
The race at the Hungaroring has been a stalwart of the F1 calendar ever since it first hosted a race in 1986, being present every single season.
As a result of the global pandemic, the race there last season was unlike most, taking place earlier than usual – serving as round three – and without any crowds present.
One thing that wasn’t out of the ordinary though was the winner, with Lewis Hamilton tasting victory there for a record eight-time.
In front of packed grandstands, the Mercedes man will be aiming to make it nine to move onto 100 F1 career wins and move ahead of Max Verstappen to take the lead of the Driver’s Championship.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the race weekend in the nation’s capital…
When is the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix?
Practice 1: Friday, July 30, 1130-1230
Practice 2: Friday, July 30, 1500-1600
Practice 3: Saturday, July 31, 1200-1300
Qualifying: Saturday, July 31, 1500
Race: Sunday, August 1, 1500
Where does the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix take place?
The Hungaroring joined the Formula 1 calendar in 1986 and has hosted a race every single year since then. It’s not g0ing anywhere anytime soon either, with a new contract being signed last year ensuring around will take place there every year until 2027.
The nation always wanted a street circuit-style race and that’s very much evident, with the track being a very tight and twisty one. That makes overtaking there very difficult, leading to it being nicknamed “Monaco without the barriers.”
Some drivers, including Hamilton and Verstappen, are fans of the slower, more technical layout, but others feel it lacks some speed and excitement.
As well as having the most wins, Hamilton also holds the lap record for the race, doing a 1:16.627 in the 2020 edition. He also set the fastest outright lap there that year with his qualifying effort, an A 1:13.447
Where can I watch the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix?
In the UK, pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports will show the entire race weekend, from FP1 to the race, on its dedicated Sky Sports F1 channel. You can also access a live stream of the coverage via Now TV. Free-to-air broadcaster Channel 4 will broadcast highlights across the race weekend.
F1 TV Pro viewers can watch all the live action from Budapest. Please check to see if F1 TV Pro is available in your country.
Subscribers to F1’s own app can hear radio commentary on the race proper and access live data throughout every session.
PlanetF1 will carry live timing and expert commentary on every session of the race weekend, from FP1 on Friday morning to the race on Sunday afternoon.
The Hungarian Grand Prix will be shown live on TV on the following outlets in other key markets:
India: Star Select 2 and Select 2 HD
United States: ESPN
Canada: RDS (French), TSN (English)
Australia: Fox Sports
France: Canal+
Italy: Sky Sport F1
Germany: Sky Sport F1
Spain: DAZN
Netherlands: Ziggo Sport
Brazil: Band
Japan: DAZN
Know your Circuit:
Stats:
First Race: 1986
Number of Laps: 70
Circuit Length: 4.381km
Race Distance: 306.63 km
Lap Record: 1.16.627 (Lewis Hamilton)
When was the track built?
Work began on the Hungaroring in 1985, and the track was race-ready just nine months later. The Hungarian government had originally considered reviving the old Nepliget park circuit in Budapest in a bid to host Formula 1 in the country, but in the end, decided to create a purpose-built facility instead.
When was its first Grand Prix?
The year was 1986. Nelson Piquet won the first F1 race around the Hungaroring, famously slithering his Williams around the outside of Ayrton Senna’s Lotus to take the lead.
What’s the circuit like?
The lack of straights at the Hungaroring often sees it compared to a karting circuit – and it’s true, the resemblance is uncanny. With several series of corners to string together, teams opt for Monaco levels of downforce, with a well-sorted chassis tending to be rewarded over horsepower given the short straights on offer. It’s a challenge many of the drivers relish, however, finding a good rhythm is key to set fast lap times.
Why go?
Hungary in July is usually hot hot hot. The good news is you’re at the track, though, is that there’s a water park close by – the Mogyorodi Aquarena viz szorakoztatopark – which should be a good place to cool off. Away from aqueous activities, the circuit is only 20km from Budapest, putting you close to one of Europe’s most fascinating, storied, and lively city centers.
Where is the best place to watch?
The track is built in a natural bowl, a bit like the UK's Brands Hatch. That means that any of the grandstands located on or around the main straight should provide a view of other parts of the track too, giving you more F1 bang for your, er, forint.
What are the odds for the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix?
Hamilton may be something of an expert at the track, but Verstappen, who has finished second to the Brit there for the past two races, is highly fancied to take his first win at the track.
Here are the leading odds:
1/1 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
7/4 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
14/1 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
16/1 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
16/1 Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
(Last updated: Today)
What is the weather forecast for the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix?
Friday, July 30 – 25c, sunny
Saturday, July 31 – 24c, cloudy
Sunday, August 1 – 23c, cloudy
Which drivers have won the Hungarian Grand Prix?
Hamilton has enjoyed more success than any other driver at the circuit, and by quite some way, winning eight of the 14 F1 races he has competed in there.
Michael Schumacher has the second-highest number of victories, triumphing on four occasions. The third of them, in 2001, was particularly significant as the win earned him his fourth World Championship.
The only other driver to win in Hungary more than twice is Ayrton Senna, who did so in 1988, 1991, and 1992. He could have had more too, just missing out in 1989 and 1990.
Nelson Piquet, Damon Hill, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Mika Hakkinen and Jacques Villeneuve have all won the race on two occasions.
The last 10 winners of the Hungarian Grand Prix are as follows:
2020: Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain, Mercedes)
2019: Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain, Mercedes)
2018: Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain, Mercedes)
2017: Sebastian Vettel (Germany, Ferrari)
2016: Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain, Mercedes)
2015: Sebastian Vettel (Germany, Ferrari)
2014: Daniel Ricciardo (Australia, Red Bull)
2013: Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain, Mercedes)
2012: Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain, McLaren)
2011: Jenson Button (Great Britain, McLaren)
What are the latest F1 Championship standings?
Drivers’ Championship
Max Verstappen – 185 points
Lewis Hamilton – 177 points
Lando Norris – 113 points
Valtteri Bottas – 108 points
Sergio Perez – 104 points
Constructors’ Championship
Red Bull – 289 points
Mercedes – 285 points
McLaren – 163 points
Ferrari – 148 points
-by Amaan Attar
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