Hungaroring offers update on its comprehensive reconstruction work

When entering the Hungaroring paddock this July, the Formula 1 circus will find themselves in very different surroundings to 2024. F1Technical’s senior writer Balazs Szabo highlights the key facts revolving around the renovation of the Hungaroring.

The Hungaroring has been part of the Formula One schedule since 1986 when the circuit hosted the first ever Hungarian Grand Prix. In fact, a Hungarian Grand Prix took place several decades earlier, exactly in 1936 in a public park of Budapest, called Nepliget, albeit it was a non-championship event.

The circuit that is located less than 10km northeast of Budapest was laid down in just eight months, in less time than any other modern Formula One circuit. The first race at the new circuit was the Drapál Memorial Trophy in March 1986, three months before its official opening.

Situated in a valley, the tight, twisty circuit features a challenging nature, offering only a few overtaking opportunities. While some work has been performed since 1986, including a significant change to the layout in 2003, many buildings and grandstands have been untouched for long years.

The reconstruction of the Hungaroring has been planned for several years, but work has only kicked off after a delay of several years, at the beginning of 2024. The entire process will be performed in two spells, with the first phase having been completed on 22 May.

The first phase saw the reconstruction of the retaining walls of the event area, while the paddock was also significantly widened. Furthermore, two tunnels were established under the finish straight

The redevelopment of the circuit has continued with the second phase right after last year’s Budapest F1 race.

Commenting on the reconstruction, the Hungaroring note: “Construction phase of the Hungaroring’s paddock area and the main grandstand will continue until the end of January. 564 people are working tirelessly every day at the iconic Formula 1 circuit.

“In the past period, the contractor has installed 20,885 cubic metres of concrete and 4,793 pieces of reinforcing steel in the two buildings. An amazing amount of earth has been moved: 99,800 cubic metres for the cutting and 33,875 cubic metres for the construction of the embankment.”

The redevelopment works continue, currently with 620 people working every day to ensure that the Hungarian circuit will be ready for the Hungarian Grand Prix that will take place a week later than in the previous seasons.

So far, 23,785 m3 of concrete have been built in, 7,604 tonnes of reinforcing steel have been installed. In addition, large-scale earthworks were completed around the paddock building.

The construction of the vertical structure of the 3rd floor of the paddock building is underway in some areas. On the main grandstand that sits opposite the paddock building, 100% of the precast reinforced concrete stand beams and almost 50% of the grandstand elements have been installed, and the stair elements are being installed.

22 km of protective tubes and 80 km of lining tubes have been laid in the area surrounding the track strip, including 20 km of power cables. Moreover, the high current system of depot area is complete and low current systems are 90% complete.