Located in Mogyoród, around 20 km from Budapest, the Hungaroring made its motorsport and F1 World Championship debut in 1986
causing a stir as the first race ever contested behind the then Iron Curtain.
It is 4381 metres long, run clockwise with 14 corners of various types, some with heavy braking and others at low speed. Among the most thrilling is surely turn 5, taken blind, with its contours giving a heightened sense of speed.
Often nicknamed the “Monaco without walls”, it is a narrow (12–15 metres wide) and twisty circuit that makes overtaking particularly difficult, making race strategy and qualifying results crucial. In addition, tyres and brakes are heavily stressed.
Although not spectacular in terms of outright speed, the Budapest circuit is appreciated by drivers for its technical and challenging nature, and by the public thanks to its ‘catino configuration’, which allows excellent visibility.
The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe returns to the Budapest circuit in 2026, four years after its last appearance in 2022.
