The circuit was built almost three decades ago as a rarity of its time, for being the first one beyond the Iron Curtain, and now it is still special as the third behind Monte-Carlo and Monza to have continuously featured in the F1 race calendar. Hungaroring was built within a mere eight months, so that on the 10 August 1986 the First Hungarian Grand Prix could take place. This weekend the 33rd Hungarian Grand Prix will be held, let's recall some historical moments such as the victory of Nelson Piquet at the first race held here – in front of three hundred-thousand (!) spectators. Damon Hill’s bad luck is also memorable, remember the famous question „What happened to Damon Hill?” when in the final lap, due to a technical problem victory slipped his hands (1997), just as the great battles fought on the asphalt between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. Jenson Button’s rainy victory (his first) is just as much the part of the race track’s history as Michael Schumaher’s four or Lewis Hamilton’s five Hungarian victories respectively – since 2016 the British driver is the only record-holder. The track is dusty, and the race is hot some may call, but definitely one of the most challenging races of the season from the pilots’ point of view. To win on this tricky, tortuous track that hardly offers any straights is an enormous achievement, however the circuit is very popular with the driver and the teams. 1/7 × Read some quotes and reviews what the key players said about the race, the difficulties, the fans and of course regarding Budapest! “It can get very hot in Budapest. It’s not an easy race, but on the other hand, there’s not many high-speed corners on the track, so it’s more about keeping your focus and concentration all through the race. Regardless, we’re always keeping fit to prepare ourselves.” - Romain Grosjean “It’s a pretty physical track. You’re turning all the time. You don’t get much time off on the straights, because there’s a bend, or the straight is just short. It’s a bit like a go-kart track. You don’t get a lot of time to relax on the straights.” - Kevin Magnussen "I’ve always liked the circuit but the city is also really cool. Budapest is amazing; it’s very pretty, there’s really good food and I always enjoy spending time in the city centre. Because it’s just before the summer break there’s also always a good feeling in the paddock before everyone takes a well-earned holiday.” - Daniel Ricciardo "Budapest is a cool city, it has a reputation as a bit of a “party town” but I have not had chance to experience that yet! Walking on the banks of the ‘Nube is nice and gives a chance to see both parts of the city, Buda and pest. I’ll always try to fit in a good helping of Goulash while I’m in Hungary as I really enjoy this dish, usually on Sunday evening.” - Max Verstappen “The Hungaroring is a great track and an enjoyable place to finish the first half of the season before the summer break. I expect a lot of fun there, as it’s always a nice event. I love the fans in Budapest because they’re very passionate about the race. They’re at the airport, the hotel, the circuit, even on the highway going to the track with their flags, so it’s always a nice weekend to experience and enjoy." - Fernando Alonso "I really enjoy Hungary, it’s a good Grand Prix weekend. It’s the final round before the summer break, something I’m very much looking forward to after a busy and hard-fought string of European races. In terms of the circuit itself, it’s very technical with some fun corner combinations, which come thick and fast. The city of Budapest is a standout on the calendar. It’s a very pretty place with the architecture and river flowing through. Food there is also something to look forward to, especially Hungarian goulash." - Nico Hulkenberg “After a strong race at Hockenheim I go to Budapest with an extra boost of confidence. The team feels positive and we are ready to tackle the last race before summer shutdown. The Budapest track is a very technical one. It has a lot of corners, and it is quite intense to drive there – it reminds me of a go-kart track. It is a tough circuit for both the driver and the car, however, with the car and good form we have at the moment we should be able to fight for good results there." - Marcus Ericsson Text via www.hungaroring.hu and www.formula1.com Photos: www.hungaroring.hu/press