Hungaroring pushes on with reconstruction work as it confirms demolition of main grandstand
When entering the Hungaroring paddock next year, the Formula 1 circus will find themselves in very different surroundings to 2024. 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 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
As the circuit had announced ahead of this year's Hungarian Grand Prix, the redevelopment of the circuit has continued with the second phase right after this year's Budapest F1 race.
Ahead of this year's Hungarian Grand Prix, Zsolt Gyulay, the president and CEO of Hungaroring Sport Zrt., said that the first stage of the development, which was announced ahead of the track’s latest contract extension last year, has been completed.
"The development of the utility network has been completed, and the main entrance and the building have been established, which means that there is now a reception center. However, the internal works will continue until the 30th of November.”
"The paddock became 19 meters wider, this work has also been completed, but this year we will only use the part that we have been using so far, behind which we will create parking spaces for the drivers.
“The run-off zones in Turns 4 and 12 have been renovated, and the main building, which has been standing since 1986, will be demolished after the race, and the new one will be nine meters wider because we are creating larger garages. We will practically say goodbye to the main building this weekend," concluded Gyulay.
The Hungarian F1 circuit has now pushed on with the demolition of the main grandstand with the reconstruction of the pit building set to take place later this year.
Commenting on the reconstruction, the Hungaroring note: "Hungaroring on the road to development. Every innovation starts with initial demolition.
"At the moment, demolition is taking place in the Super Gold grandstand and the iconic main building, and the technicians are working at extreme speed. Our common goal is to create a modern, innovative centre for all."
