Another week another Formula One race, this time in Hungary. Hungarian GP made its Formula 1 debut in 1986, becoming the first-ever Formula 1 race to be held in Eastern Europe. It was an essential step in expanding the sport's global reach during the Cold War era.
The race takes place at the Hungaroring, a circuit located in Mogyoród, near Budapest, Hungary. The track is known for its tight and twisty layout, making it a challenging circuit for drivers.
Legendary driver Michael Schumacher holds the record for the most victories in the Hungarian Grand Prix, with a total of four wins. He achieved these victories in 1994, 1998, 2001, and 2004.
The Hungarian Grand Prix takes place during the summer months, often leading to scorching temperatures on the track. Drivers must endure high heat levels inside the cockpit, making it one of the most physically demanding races on the calendar. Despite its summertime scheduling, rain during the Hungarian Grand Prix is relatively rare. The location and weather patterns around the circuit make wet races infrequent.
Over the years, the Hungaroring circuit has undergone several renovations and updates to improve safety and enhance the racing experience. Nevertheless, the organizers have managed to maintain the track's original charm and challenging nature.
The Hungarian Grand Prix has become a beloved fixture on the Formula 1 calendar, providing thrilling races and contributing to the sport's enduring legacy.
The Hungarian Grand Prix has witnessed several interesting and memorable wins throughout its history. Here are some of the most notable ones:
1. Nelson Piquet (1986):
The inaugural Hungarian Grand Prix in 1986 provided a significant victory for Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet. He won driving for Williams-Honda, making him the first-ever winner at the Hungaroring circuit.
2. Damon Hill (1993):
Damon Hill secured his first Formula 1 career victory at the 1993 Hungarian Grand Prix. Driving for the Williams-Renault team, he showcased his talent and potential as a future World Champion.
3. Michael Schumacher (1998):
The 1998 Hungarian Grand Prix witnessed one of Michael Schumacher's most remarkable drives. Despite starting from the back of the grid due to a penalty, Schumacher displayed extraordinary skill to finish in first place.
4. Jenson Button (2006):
The 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix marked an emotional and memorable win for Jenson Button. Driving for the Honda team, he secured his first-ever Formula 1 victory after 113 attempts, breaking the record for the most races before a maiden win.
5. Heikki Kovalainen (2008):
Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen clinched an unexpected and dramatic victory at the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix. Driving for McLaren-Mercedes, he inherited the lead after Felipe Massa's engine failure just three laps from the finish.
6. Daniel Ricciardo (2014):
The 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix saw Daniel Ricciardo claim his second career victory in Formula 1. The Australian driver, representing Red Bull Racing, showcased impressive overtaking skills on a circuit not known for easy passing opportunities.
7. Lewis Hamilton (2019):
In 2019, Lewis Hamilton secured a sensational win at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver, having started from pole position, held off a charging Max Verstappen in the Red Bull to take the victory by less than a second.
8. Esteban Ocon (2021):
The 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix provided a surprising and emotional triumph for French driver Esteban Ocon. Representing the Alpine team, he claimed his first-ever Formula 1 win after a dramatic race that saw several incidents and retirements.
Each of these wins brought its own excitement and drama to the Hungarian Grand Prix, contributing to the race's storied history and making it a cherished event for Formula 1 fans worldwide.
So let´s look into the 2023 Race Day itself:
The Hungaroring witnessed an exhilarating race as the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix unfolded in all its glory. The moment the lights went out, the Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen, seized the opportunity and swiftly overtook polesitter Lewis Hamilton, claiming the lead as they headed into turn 1. From that point on, Verstappen never looked back and led the entire 70-lap race with remarkable ease, showcasing his driving prowess.
However, turn 1 also witnessed a dramatic collision between the Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon. This unfortunate incident occurred due to Zhou Guanyu's poor start, causing him to push Daniel Ricciardo, who then collided with Ocon. Gasly, who had no time to react, suffered terminal damage, leading to an early retirement for both Alpines. Ricciardo briefly found himself at the back of the pack, facing an uphill battle to recover.
As the race progressed, strategic tire changes brought some excitement to the field. Sergio Pérez, starting in ninth, displayed incredible determination and skill, charging through the ranks. Pérez's charge eventually saw him claiming the second position behind his teammate, Verstappen. Verstappen himself executed a seamless pit stop, maintaining his lead throughout.
Charles Leclerc found himself under immense pressure from Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz Jr., with Fernando Alonso joining the battle and overtaking Stroll. Meanwhile, Pérez's pit stop temporarily elevated Lando Norris to second place, but Pérez wasted no time in reclaiming his position, overtaking Norris' teammate, Oscar Piastri, and subsequently Hamilton. Despite Hamilton's efforts, he was unable to catch Pérez.
Towards the end of the race, Verstappen demonstrated his dominance by building a staggering 33-second lead, marking his highest gap of the season. Norris valiantly defended his position against Pérez, securing a second-place finish for McLaren. Piastri also delivered a commendable performance, settling for fifth place.
The race also witnessed a significant milestone for Red Bull, as they achieved a new record for the most consecutive wins by a constructor, surpassing McLaren's record of eleven from 1988. Norris' back-to-back podiums marked a personal achievement in his Formula One career, while McLaren celebrated consecutive podium finishes for the first time since 2012.
The post-race podium celebrations took an unexpected turn when Norris accidentally broke Verstappen's trophy – a priceless hand-made Herend vase valued at approximately $45,000. In good spirits, Norris humorously "blamed" Verstappen for the mishap. However, he later apologized to Verstappen and his team for the incident, expressing his regret and acknowledging his mistake. Herend is already in the process of creating a replacement trophy for Verstappen.
Overall, the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix will be remembered as a race filled with intense competition, unforgettable moments, and Max Verstappen's remarkable display of driving prowess. As the Formula One season continues, fans can look forward to more thrilling battles and captivating races in pursuit of the coveted championship title.
Captivating week with so much potential for Mercedes and McLaren. Big congratulation to winners and also to Oscar and Lewis for such a wonderful weekend. I hope we see more competition like this one and maybe with more teams such as Ferrari or AlphaTauri. Big congrats also to our returned man Daniel and nice driving.
See ya all next week in Belgium!
Till next time,
Natalie Kika
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