Key numbers behind the revamped Hungaroring

On entering the Hungaroring paddock this year, the Formula 1 circus will find themselves in very different surroundings to 2023. F1Technical's senior writer Balazs Szabo highlights the key facts revolving around the renovation of the Hungaroring.

The Hungaroring has been part of the Formula One schedule since 1986 when the circuit hosted the first ever Hungarian Grand Prix. In fact, a Hungarian Grand Prix took place several decades earlier, exactly in 1936 in a public park of Budapest, called Nepliget, albeit it was a non-championship event.

The circuit that is located less than 10km northeast of Budapest was laid down in just eight months, in less time that any other modern Formula One circuit. The first race at the new circuit was the Drapál Memorial Trophy in March 1986, three months before its official opening.

Situated in a valley, the tight, twisty circuit features a challenging nature, offering only a few overtaking opportunities. While some work has been performed since 1986, including a significant change to the layout in 2003, many buildings and grandstands have been untouched for long years.

The reconstruction of the Hungaroring has been planned for several years, but work has only kicked off after a delay of several years, at the beginning of 2024. The entire process will be performed in two spells with the first phase having been completed on 22 May. The redevelopment of the circuit will continue with the second phase after this year’s F1 Hungarian Grand Prix.

The first phase saw the reconstruction of the retaining walls of the event area, while the paddock was also significantly widened. Furthermore, two tunnels were established under the finish straight

1500 - To meet the deadline, work went on 24 hours a day, with between four and five hundred people working on site at any one moment, while a total of 1,500 people were involved in the project.

4 - Four tower cranes and five mobile ones were used, installing 390 kilometres of piping, 3,200 tonnes of reinforced steel, 1,674 cubic metres of reinforced pre-cast concrete and 32,000 tonnes of concrete.

17,000 - The work involved moving 17,000 cubic metres of earth.

450 - The walls of the event area behind the main grandstand have also been built, with a total length of 450 metres, as well as a new staircase leading to the spectator areas.

8000 - The buildings on the lower level of the paddock have been demolished so that the new paddock now covers an area of 8,000 square metres.