Grand Prix racing in Hungary began in 1936 but it took another half-century for the Formula 1 World Championship to make its proper debut. And in the subsequent 32 visits, only one circuit has ever been used.
The 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix is still one of the more memorable Formula 1 races in recent memory.
PHOTO BY MOTORSPORT IMAGE – LAT
There aren’t many tracks on the schedule where one can draw direct comparisons between the cars of yesteryear to those of today, but the Hungaroring is a notable exception. Tweaked slightly ahead of the 1989 Grand Prix and again for 2003, the track still only features one straight of note — with hairpins at both ends and several tricky corners linking them.
In the early years, Williams was the dominant force at Hungary.
Seven of the first 12 Hungarian Grand Prix were won by Williams, but they have failed to return since Jacques Villeneuve’s 1997 triumph.
The track has seen just three drivers take their maiden wins and in one case, their only win. Damon Hill in 1993, Jenson Button in 2006 and Heikki Kovalainen in 2007 all tasted the winners champagne for the first time at this particular venue.
In 2009, the danger of Formula 1 was highlighted.
A spring from the rear suspension of Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn GP car collided with the helmet of Felipe Massa. The spring fractured Massa’s skull and he was airlifted to hospital, where there was a genuine concern for the Brazilian’s life.
Obviously, Massa made a full recovery and would go on to compete in the sport for a further nine seasons but he would play no further part in the 2009 season — Italians Luca Badoer and Giancarlo Fisichella taking the substitute role.
One race that stands out as a classic is the 1997 Hungarian Grand Prix. Although the race was won by eventual champion Villeneuve, this tells nothing of the story of the race.
Having been cast out of the Williams team for ’97 despite taking the 1996 drivers’ championship, Damon Hill had found a drive with Arrows — a team with a long but generally unsuccessful history. Hill held the lead until the final lap. Nursing a problem with his hydraulics system for two laps, Hill had still managed to lead last lap but was passed in turn 1 by Villeneuve.
Amazingly Hill was still able to complete the final lap before the Sauber of Johnny Herbert could overtake him, a second place matching the best-ever result in Arrows history. It was also the last time that an Arrows driver would stand on a Formula 1 podium.
Button’s breakthrough victory was equally impressive in 2006.
With title challengers Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso starting way down the order it was a typical mixed weather performance from the 2009 champion, shining in the mixed conditions as would become his trademark in seasons to come.
It may never have been the best track for overtaking, but the Hungaroring has become somewhat of a modern classic alongside tracks like Suzuka, Catalunya and Melbourne.
Source: Autoweek