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Hungaroring

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Hungaroring
Location Mogyoród, Hungary
Active from N/A - present
Major events FIA Formula One
Hungarian Grand Prix
FIA GT Championship, World Series by Renault
Surface N/A
Length 2.722 mi (4.381 km)
Turns 16
Lap record 1:19.071 (Template:Country flagicon Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2004, 2004, class)

The Hungaroring is a racing circuit in Mogyoród, near Budapest, Hungary where the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix is held. In 1986<ref name="CNN">{{#if: Hungarian Grand Prix

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Description

The Grand Prix is held in the middle of summer, which is usually hot and dry in this region. Its first wet Grand Prix race was in 2006. The circuit is normally dusty due to underuse throughout the rest of the year and its sandy soil. As the circuit track is in a valley you can see about 80 percent of the racetrack from any point.<ref>Template:Citation/core{{#if:|}}</ref>

Normally an underused circuit becomes faster over the weekend as the track surface gathers more rubber residue; however, with the Hungaroring this generally does not happen because the track can get dusty so quickly. The track frequently becomes faster during a qualifying session, which leads competitors to try for their best lap as late as possible.

The twisty and bumpy nature of the circuit<ref>{{#if: Formula One: Think it's a joyride? Try some laps on Hungary's course

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Drivers

Hungaroring has crowned two drivers in its 20 year history: both Nigel Mansell in 1992 and Michael Schumacher in 2001 were able to win the World Championship title at early points of the seasons. Moreover, the WilliamsF1 Team also secured the Constructors' Championship at the Hungaroring in 1996.

Both Hungary's Zsolt Baumgartner and Poland's Robert Kubica made their debut on this track as the first F1 drivers of their countries.

The 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix was the first wet grand prix at the Hungaroring. This saw the retirement of many drivers including championship rivals Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher and gave Jenson Button and the reborn Honda F1 team their first win. Fernando Alonso also earned his first Grand Prix victory at this in 2003, declaring it his favorite track as a result.

According to statements and interviews, drivers have different opinions on the track. While many like Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso claimed to love it, many others consider the track, and the Hungarian Grand Prix too slow, hot and demanding. The technical driving center of the Hungaroring held former racer Gerhard Berger's name from 1998 until 2005 but later it was changed to Allianz.

The track also has a curve named after Nigel Mansell.

Fans

While most of the foreign fans are from Germany<ref name="AmCham"/> and Austria, the Hungaroring has traditionally seen a large influx of Finnish fans as well. With the loss of the Austrian Grand Prix, this is the closest Formula One event for fans from other Central European countries. The 2006 race saw many spectators from Poland due to the debut of their first Formula One driver, Robert Kubica.

Some say that the Hungaroring is similar in style to Circuit de Monaco, due to its tight and twisty corners. A first change in the track layout was carried out in 1989, when the chicane after the actual turn 3 was removed. In 2003, the main straight (turn 1, see diagram) was lengthened by roughly 200 m (660 ft), and the hairpin at the end of the straight was also tightened in an attempt to facilitate more overtaking opportunities, as well as a tightening of what was Turn 13. However, this is largely seen to have failed.

The Hungarian Grand Prix has always been more of a promoter event than a profit-raiser in itself.<ref name="AmCham"/>. The contract was prolonged until 2016<ref>{{#if: Motor racing-Hungarian GP gets extension to 2016

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The Hungaroring is the home of Hungarian motorsport. Besides Formula One, there were also DTM, FIA GT Championship races in its history. A public drag race event takes place every month.

See Also

Formula One circuits

Current circuits
(2010 season)

BahrainMelbourneSepangShanghaiBarcelona (Catalunya)Monte CarloIstanbulMontrealValenciaSilverstoneHockenheimHungaroringSpaMonzaMarina BaySuzukaYeongamInterlagosYas Marina

Former Circuits: A1-Ring (Österreichring)AdelaideAidaAin-DiabAintreeAnderstorpAVUSBrands HatchBremgartenBuenos AiresCaesars PalaceClermont-FerrandDallasDetroitDijonDonington ParkEast LondonEstorilFujiImolaIndianapolisJacarepaguáJaramaJerezKyalamiLe MansLong BeachMagny-CoursMexico CityMonsantoMontjuïcMont-TremblantMosport ParkNivelles-BaulersNürburgringOportoPaul RicardPedralbesPescaraPhoenixReimsRiversideRouenSebringWatkins GlenZandvoortZeltwegZolder

Template:FIA GT circuits Template:International Formula 3000 circuits Template:GP2 Series circuits Template:World Series by Renault circuits

External links

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