Hungaroring and Monza set to go through significant reconstruction

Ahead of the start of the 2024 F1 season, two circuits, Monza and the Hungaroring are set to undergo comprehensive makeover with both circuits expected to complete the reconstruction work until the Italian and the Hungarian Grands Prix respectively.

The iconic Autodromo Nazionale Monza has a contract to host an F1 race through to 2025, but the future of the race is uncertain given the facilities of the track. During last year’s Italian Grand Prix, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stressed the need for Monza to upgrade its facilities if it wants to have a contract extension.

The track has now announced that it has commenced the €21 million reconstruction work that will see the Monza circuit upgrade many of the facilities. Originally, the revamp should have kicked off earlier, but it should still be completed ahead of this year’s Italian Grand Prix.

Speaking of the aims of the revamp, President of the Automobile Club d'Italia Angelo Sticchi Damiani commented: “Our main goal is to bring the Autodromo back up to speed. We can no longer afford to have problems with the flow of fans, and we must offer greater comfort to those who come to the circuit.

“We have set ourselves three goals to best meet the requests made to us, and of these the first is the underpasses.

"The second goal is related to the grandstands. We still have several temporary structures, so we will build more solid structures that will provide all the amenities in line with what a spectator expects today. Each grandstand will be an island with all the necessary services inside, so that the public will not have to move around.

"Finally, a permanent type of roofing will be built over the pit building. The support pillars will be reinforced because the structure will grow in height,” Damiani was quoted as saying by Motorsport.com.

The Hungaroring has also ramped up its construction work that was needed to secure its long-term future on the F1 schedule. The Hungarian race track that first hosted Formula 1 in 1986, extended its existing deal until 2032.

Although the track is located 20km outside the historic city of Budapest which has made the venue attractive, the promoter was asked to make significant tweaks to the outdated buildings and grandstands of the track. As a result of the agreement, the Hungaroring will undergo significant development and refurbishment in the coming years, including a new pit building and main grandstand.

Speaking of the details, President and CEO of Formula One Stefano Domenicali said: “To see the commitment from the promoter in Hungary to develop the facilities and further enhance the experience for fans is another important step and something we want to see all our events doing in order to continue to improve and make our races even better.”

Currently, the Hungaroring is going through the first phase of the reconstruction that involves a new entrance building and the renovation of the system of public utilities.

The second phase will involve the reconstruction of the main grandstand, the main building and the pit complex. Furthermore, two new tunnels will be created, one for the drivers and the staff and another one for the guests.

Speaking of the schedule of the second phase of the reconstruction work, Ádám Schmidt, State Secretary for Sport, added: “The construction work could start in autumn 2024, the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix would be held in a “transitional phase,” and the renovated facility could host the Hungarian F1 race in 2026.”

Zsolt Gyulay, Chairman and CEO of Hungaroring Sport Zrt., stressed that the current state of the utilities and infrastructure does not meet the requirements of the International Automobile Federation: “I feel that together with the improvements we are making, we will also reach a faster and more modern form of operation that is more compatible with the accelerated world of Formula 1,”