2025 Hungarian Grand Prix – Preview

Last leg of the double header before going into summer break. 

Toto Talks Hungary

After a tough weekend in Belgium, we are looking to put in a more competitive showing in Hungary. Our performances in recent races have not been up to our standards, and we have work planned to both understand why that has been and get on top of it this weekend. 

The team has been flat out in the days since Spa to optimise this work as we look to head into the summer shutdown with a positive result in Budapest.

Fact File: Hungarian Grand Prix

• 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 know 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. This 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 scored his first F1 pole position in Budapest in 2022.
• Mercedes-Benz Power recorded its 600^th 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.
• Kimi’s maiden Formula 2 Feature Race win came in Hungary in 2024. At the time he was the youngest multiple winner in the series history after also winning at Silverstone a few weeks earlier.

Noah Strømsted Talks Hungary

After winning my first F3 race in Spa, I am really excited to go racing in Hungary and keep this momentum going.

I’ve raced at the Hungaroring before and we’ll be looking for more valuable points before the summer break and the final round of the season at Monza.

Stat Sheet: Hungarian Grand Prix