Budapest transforms into a vibrant F1 city
Formula One has arrived at the Hungaroring and preparations have gearing up for tomorrow’s practice day at the Hungarian Grand Prix. F1Technical’s senior writer Balázs Szabó reports from his home race.
Hungaroring has established itself as a fixture on the F1 calendar, having staged an F1 round every year since 1986. The 4.3km track is known for its stop-and-go nature, featuring a series of short straights and slow- and medium-speed corners. The circuit that is built into a natural bowl is located around 24km away from the eye-catching Budapest.
The Hungarian capital is a truly amazing city that offers a lot to discover. Visitors usually search for a stroll on the attractive promenade that lies on the banks of the Danube River. However, with F1 having arrived in Budapest, the city offers sights and attractions that are only this week there to discover.
At the newly renovated Nyugati Railway Station, the Silverstone-based Aston Martin team set up a striking motorhome. Presented by the British team’s partner Peroni, fans can get close to an Aston Martin F1 car and they can sit on a pit wall to experience how it feels to work as a race engineer, team principal or team manager during a race weekend.
The special setup called Il Pitstop can be visited in front of the Westend Shopping Centre between 12pm-8pm each day this week.
Join the team and get up close to the magic of F1 in person at Il Pitstop, presented by Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%.
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) July 19, 2023
📍 Westend Shopping Centre, Vaci ut 1-3, Budapest 1063, between 12pm-8pm each day this week. #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/ZWD4BVIrYk
Elsewhere, AlphaTauri’s partner Orlen has recently built a new petrol station on the outskirts of Budapest. It is situated near the Hungaroring, in between the towns of Mogyoród and Gödöllő. Although the Polish oil refiner and petrol retailer is not a technical partner of the Faenza-based outfit, they have organized activities on multiple occasions since they joined forced earlier this year.
Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Orlen offered tickets through a competitions organized by a Hungarian radio station. They have now put an AlphaTauri AT02 in front of the new Orlen petrol station which fans can visit during the Hungaroring race week.
Among the main places to see in Budapest are the Chain Bridge, the Buda Castle, the Parliament, and the Opera House. Another must-see sight is the Heroes Square which is now decorated with an iconic F1 sign. Although the F1 schedule for the Hungarian Grand Prix is tightly packed, it is worth finding a slot during the weekend to visit the square that is noted for its iconic Millennium Monument with statues featuring the Seven chieftains of the Magyars and other important Hungarian national leaders.
