2014 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix
The Hungarian Grand Prix has been an ever-present on the Formula One calendar since 1986. Much has changed since the early days when the race involved a trip behind the Iron Curtain but the Hungaroring carries a timeless appeal while the warm welcome Budapest provides on race weekends gets better every year.
Over the years the short Hungaroring has been referred to as ‘Monaco without the walls’, and ‘a kart track for F1 cars’. It’s narrow and twisting with a seemingly endless sequence of corners that do not allow for any lapses in concentration. It presents an unusual conflict in which racers take huge pleasure from a low-fuel qualifying laps but can sometimes find racing frustrating, lacking as it is in obvious overtaking opportunities.
That said, Hungary has more than its share of memorable races and has provided McLaren with 11 victories. Ayrton Senna won here three times while Mika Häkkinen bagged two victories. More recently Kimi Räikkönen, Heikki Kovalainen, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button ensured McLaren has been the most successful Hungarian Grand Prix team of the 21st Century.
