2025 Hungarian Grand Prix: Fast Facts

The Hungaroring provides the backdrop to the last few days of Formula 1 track action prior to the summer break. This weekend’s race will be the fortieth anniversary of the Hungarian Grand Prix, and the Hungaroring track will also be in use on Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 and 6 August, when Pirelli is running a 2026 tyre development test. Ferrari, Racing Bulls, and McLaren are all taking part for one day, while Alpine is running on both days. The test is aimed at evaluating tyre constructions for next year as, in line with regulations, these must be homologated by 1st September, as well as evaluating some prototype compounds. In this case, these have to be homologated by 15th December.

The Compounds

The trio of slick tyre compounds is the same as last year: C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium and C5 as Soft. Up until last year, these would have been the softest tyres of all, but this year, the C6 was introduced.

However, the new compound would be too extreme a choice for a track that exerts this level of energy density on the tyres for every lap. Although the actual loads are not that high in absolute terms, the fact that the lap is short means that it increases cumulatively and significantly with each lap.

Another factor that plays its part is the high temperature that usually accompanies the Hungarian weekend, leading to predominantly thermal degradation, exacerbated by the very dark track surface. In fact, last year’s race here saw the highest recorded track temperature of the season, at 58.6 °C.

The Track

The Hungaroring facility is currently undergoing a major transformation. Firstly, the paddock area was refurbished and this year, the main changes relate to the pit lane and the main straight, as well the pit complex and the main grandstand.

The grid area and the pit lane have been resurfaced, using 860 tonnes of a specially designed mix, using bitumen with a higher softening point. The asphalt was laid with the aim of minimising undulations to provide a more consistent surface. The new surface has already been used when GT races were held here in early July, and it will be analysed in the next few days to check grip levels.

Usually, track evolution over the weekend is very high here, especially during the first two days. Graining could put in an appearance during Friday free practice, before gradually decreasing the more the track gets rubbered-in. High thermal degradation is a factor drivers will have to deal with even over a flying lap in qualifying on the Soft. If it is not looked after properly, it could create problems in the final two corners.

The Stats

The Hungarian Grand Prix first appeared on the World Championship in 1986, the first time Formula 1 had ventured behind the “Iron Curtain.” Since then, it has been a permanent fixture, even during the Covid pandemic year of 2020.

Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver with eight wins, nine pole positions and 12 podium finishes. Michael Schumacher is second when it comes to wins and pole positions with four and seven, respectively, while Kimi Raikkonen is second to Lewis in terms of podium finishes with nine.

Of the teams, McLaren has the best record here with 12 wins, followed by Williams and Ferrari, both on seven. McLaren and Mercedes share the lead when it comes to pole positions on nine, with Ferrari third on eight. Ferrari tops the table for podium places with 29 ahead of McLaren on 25 and Williams on 18.

Two drivers still racing today took their maiden Formula 1 win at the Hungaroring: Fernando Alonso in 2003 with Renault and Esteban Ocon in 2021, effectively with the same Enstone-based team, by then known as Alpine.

How to Watch the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix

Formula 1 fans around the globe can catch all the action from the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix through various broadcasters and streaming services.

In the United Kingdom, viewers can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with comprehensive coverage of the practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself.

For fans in the United States, the Hungarian Grand Prix will be available through ESPN and its associated channels. ESPN offers extensive coverage of F1, including live broadcasts and replays. Cord-cutters can also stream the race live through various over-the-top (OTT) services that carry ESPN channels.

Viewers in Australia can tune in to watch the Grand Prix weekend unfold live on Fox Sports, which offers complete coverage of F1 races. For online streaming, fans can subscribe to Kayo Sports, a streaming platform that includes all Fox Sports content.

Additionally, F1 TV Pro offers live streaming of every track session to viewers in many countries worldwide.

This subscription service provides access to onboard cameras, team radios, live timing, and more, for an immersive viewing experience.

Remember to check the local listings and services for the most up-to-date information regarding broadcast times and availability in your region.

Hungarian Grand Prix Fast Facts

• Hungary first appeared on the calendar in 1986 and has hosted a race in every single season since.
• The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend can be one of the hottest of the year, with air temperatures known to reach anywhere up to 33°C.
• Correspondingly, track temperatures tend to also be high, with an average of 36°C rising to a maximum of just over 50°C.
• The amount of braking activity, with six events across the lap, coupled with the high ambient temperatures and the absence of long straights make the circuit exceptionally taxing on the brakes.
• The low average speed at the Hungaroring also limits airflow, which makes it even more of a challenge to cool the brakes.
• The circuit features 14 corners, six to the left and eight to the right. Many of these follow one after another in quick succession, meaning a well-balanced car that can handle directional changes is important for lap time.
• The Hungaroring has one of the lowest top speeds of the season at just over 315 km/h. That is perhaps no surprise given the cars spend just over 10 seconds on a straight over the course of a fast lap, with the remaining time spent cornering.
• Those track characteristics are also reflected in the full throttle percentage, which is just 53% of the lap time and 60% of the lap distance. These are some of the lowest figures we see across the year.
• Despite a relatively short start/finish straight, the distance from pole position to the braking zone for Turn 1 measures 472 metres, the fourth-longest run of the season.
• Given the prevalence of slower corners, good traction is important here. That is why this circuit puts the rear tyres under a lot of stress.
• George Russell scored his first F1 pole position in Budapest in 2022.
• Mercedes-Benz Power recorded its 600th F1 podium at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix.
• Two world champions have been crowned in Hungary – Nigel Mansell in 1992, and Michael Schumacher in 2001.
• Max Verstappen will be making his 200th Grand Prix start for Oracle Red Bull Racing this weekend, becoming only the second driver in Formula One history to reach a double-century of races with one team.
• Max is the only driver on the grid to have driven at the Hungaroring at least ten times and reached Q3 on every attempt.
• Since Red Bull Racing entered the sport in 2005, no other constructor has scored more podiums in Budapest than the team’s 14 (tied with Ferrari).