Race Build-Up: Hungaroring’s Most Unforgettable Moments

Before the Formula 1 world hits pause for its three-week summer break, the cars go racing at one of the sport’s unpredictable circuits, the Hungaroring. Tucked away on the outskirts of Budapest, this technical track, albeit less speedy than others, boasts a rich history marked by defining moments and drama. “Expect the unexpected” would be an understatement when it comes to the Hungarian Grand Prix. As the track celebrates its 40th year on the F1 calendar, it marks the perfect time to revisit some of its most iconic moments.

Photo: Scuderia Ferrari

1988 – Tides turn as Senna ties with Prost for the Driver’s Championship

Hungary was a turning point for Senna and Prost, with the McLaren teammates and rivals vying for the Driver’s Championship. With merely three points separating the two, the Hungaroring represented a chance for Ayrton Senna (57 points) to tie with or snatch the Championship leadership from Prost (60 points). 

The weekend was shaping up perfectly for the Brazilian, who qualified first, while his teammate only managed to lock in seventh position. At lights out, Senna maintained his lead as Prost slipped to ninth, but the Frenchman clawed his way back through the pack, also benefiting from two retirements ahead. Prost chased Senna for twenty-nine laps; in the end, Senna crossed the finish line with only a 0.529s advantage. A narrow but crucial victory in Senna’s Championship-winning battle. 

2003 – Alonso becomes the youngest race winner since the 1950s 

The young Spaniard drove like there was no tomorrow at the Hungaroring. Starting from pole position, Alonso saw a good start, which allowed him to open up a 7-second gap over Mark Webber – in second place – in just three laps. By lap 13, Alonso had built a 21-second lead before heading for a fuel stop, momentarily forsaking his race lead. He would regain his position as his rivals made their stops. 

The youngster executed a flawless race, lapping Michael Schumacher – the reigning World Champion – and crossing the line 16.8 seconds ahead of Kimi Räikkönen. At 22 years and 26 days old, Alonso became the youngest ever race winner at the time, and the first Spaniard to stand on the top step of the podium. 

“The victory for me is a dream come true, and I’m 22 years old, and I have my first victory in the pocket. So I hope a long career here in Formula 1 with more victories”, said 22-year-old Alonso. If only he could look into the future. 

2006 – Jenson Button’s maiden win, in a wet race

From fourteenth place to the top step of the podium – that’s how Jenson Button claimed his first race win in Formula 1. With more than a hundred race starts under his belt, critics were sure that Button would retire without claiming a career win in Formula 1. They were wrong. 

An engine penalty saw Button start fourteenth on the grid, despite qualifying fourth the previous day. The race was already shaping up to be dramatic, with Championship contenders Schumacher and Alonso also serving grid penalties. The chaos only escalated once the lights went out and the rain intensified. 

Button – a seasoned wet-weather driver thanks to his British karting days – thrived in the slippery conditions. Between crashes and retirements, the Briton worked his way to second place behind Alonso. The Spaniard made a costly mistake and decided to switch to dry tyres instead of intermediates, handing Button the win. His maiden Formula 1 victory at the Hungaroring – the first of fifteen in Button’s Formula 1 career. 

2007 – Team orders at McLaren: the prelude

Defiance took center stage at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2007 between McLaren teammates Alonso and Hamilton. Tensions escalated when Hamilton refused to adhere to a pre-agreed team strategy. The strategy in question: one driver would run with an extra lap’s worth of fuel during qualifying at certain circuits – effectively giving the driver a better shot at pole. The driver on the lighter fuel load was expected to yield track position. 

Although Alonso was given the advantage in Hungary, the Briton refused to let Alonso through, claiming that Räikkönen would have gone through ahead of him. In retaliation, Alonso deliberately delayed Hamilton’s pit stop, denying Hamilton a final flying lap. 

Alonso went on to take pole position, but the fallout was immediate: he was hit with a five-place grid penalty, and McLaren lost all Constructors points for that weekend. A defining moment in one of the most infamous intra-team clashes in Formula 1 history. 

2021 – Esteban Ocon on the top step of the podium for the first time

A 2.73s advantage secured Esteban Ocon’s maiden Formula 1 win at the Hungaroring – a race defined by chaos from the start. In tricky conditions, a Turn 1 pile-up was triggered by Valtteri Bottas's lock-up, which eliminated Pérez, Norris, and himself. Lance Stroll’s lock-up also took out Leclerc only seconds later. 

Red flag conditions handed Ocon the perfect window to take the lead. The Frenchman led most of the 70 laps around the Hungarian track and, with flawless driving and a defensive effort from Alonso – his teammate – against Hamilton, he held on to claim an unforgettable win. 

2024 – Team orders at McLaren: Act One

McLaren made it very clear when racing at the Hungaroring in 2024: there is no “I” in team. Mutual respect and team unity are integral parts of the “papaya rules”, and Hungary would prove to be the ultimate test of that philosophy. 

Piastri was leading the race in Hungary when McLaren opted to pit Lando Norris first, enabling Norris to undercut his teammate under the condition that the lead would be returned to the Australian once race parameters allow. When instructed to give the position back, Lando Norris made it clear that he did not agree with this decision and initially refused to give the place back. 

What followed was a series of messages from the McLaren pit wall. 

“The way to win a Championship is not by yourself. It’s with the team. You’re going to need Oscar, and you’re going to need the team.”

“We know you’ll do the right thing.”

Lando played the team game and conceded the place to Oscar Piastri, which became the Australian’s maiden win. 

McLaren’s decisions were met with heavy scrutiny, as fans criticized the “papaya rules” and argued that this track-to-pitwall debacle tainted Piastri’s first win and potentially jeopardized Lando’s Championship fight. 

2025 – What’s next?

This season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in Formula 1 history. The field is no longer separated by seconds, but by mere tenths and hundredths. But at the Hungaroring, none of that seems to matter. This track has delivered class action, from underdog victories to maiden wins to unpredictable chaos. As for what to expect this year? That’s anyone’s guess.