The first Hungarian Grand Prix was held on 21 June 1936 over a 5-kilometre (3.1-mile) track laid out in Népliget, a park in Budapest. The Mercedes-Benz, Auto Union, and the Alfa Romeo-equipped Ferrari teams all sent three cars. Politics and the ensuing war meant the end of Grand Prix motor racing in the country for fifty years.
A major coup by Bernie Ecclestone, the 1986 Hungarian Grand Prix was the first Formula One race to take place behind the Iron Curtain. Held at the twisty Hungaroring in Mogyoród near Budapest, the race has been a mainstay of the racing calendar ever since. The trophies are handmade by Herendi Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt.
Due to the nature of the track, the Hungarian Grand Prix is associated with processional races. Thierry Boutsen demonstrated this in 1990, keeping his slower Williams car in front of championship leader Ayrton Senna. Pit strategy is often crucial; in 1998, Michael Schumacher's Ferrari team changed his strategy mid-race. Passing is a rarity here, although the 1989 race saw a bullish performance from Nigel Mansell in the Ferrari, who started from 12th on the grid and passed car after car. The circuit was modified slightly in 2003 in an attempt to allow more passing.
Other notable occasions in Budapest include first Grand Prix wins for Damon Hill (in 1993), Fernando Alonso (in 2003), Jenson Button (in 2006), Heikki Kovalainen (in 2008), Esteban Ocon (in 2021), and Oscar Piastri (in 2024). In 1997, Damon Hill came close to winning in the technically inferior Arrows-Yamaha. In 2014, Lewis Hamilton finished in third, six seconds behind winner Daniel Ricciardo, despite starting the race from the pit lane.
In 2001, Michael Schumacher equalled Alain Prost's then record 51 Grand Prix wins at the Hungaroring. The 2006 Grand Prix was the first to be held here in wet conditions. Button took his first victory from 14th place on the grid.
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix for an eighth time. The following year, Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas was involved in a first-lap incident under wet conditions that took out multiple cars, including Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Lance Stroll, and Sergio Pérez, along with Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo. Alpine's Esteban Ocon ended up leading the majority of the race, going on to take Team Enstone's first victory since 2013. The 2022 edition was won by Verstappen.
At the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix, it was confirmed that Hungary would continue to host a Formula One race until 2021. The track was completely resurfaced for the first time in early 2016. At the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix the contract was extended to 2032.
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