Hungaroring: a good Renault track

The first ever Grand Prix was held in France in 1906, and was won by a Renault. At the wheel was a Hungarian, by the name of Ferenc Szisz. His name now adorns the press room at the Hungaroring, where this weekend the 13th GP of the 2006 season will be held.

Many years later, in 1989, Budapest was the venue for Renault’s first pole position as an engine manufacturer. At the wheel was Riccardo Patrese, in a Williams with the French atmospheric V10. It was Renault’s first year back in the sport. The following season, Thierry Boutsen set the fastest time in qualifying in Hungary, and offered the team their only pole position of the year. The V10 from Viry-Châtillon would achieve the same performance in 1992, 1993 and 1995.

As for victories, Hungary is the fourth-most successful race for the Renault V10. The first win came in 1990. Two years later, the engine powered Nigel Mansell and Williams to the world title… in Budapest, where they finished second. More wins in Hungary followed in 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2003.

Fernando Alonso renewed the love affair between Renault and the Hungaroring in August 2003. He took his first win almost twenty years to the day after the last victory for a 100% Renault car in a Grand Prix: Alain Prost, in Austria, on August 14, 1983.

Renault is ready for another good weekend at Hungary!