Formula 1 heads into the 13th round of the 2024 World Championship, with the Hungaroring stands ready to host its 39th consecutive Grand Prix. Set for Sunday, July 21, the F1 Hungary Grand Prix 2024 is a pivotal moment in the season, with teams and drivers facing the challenges of one of the most technical circuits on the calendar.
Second only to Monza in terms of continuous presence on the F1 calendar, the Hungaroring is a classic in motorsport history. With the 2023 event seeing a record-breaking attendance of 303,000 spectators over four days, expectations are high for another packed circuit in 2024.
Hungaroring: A Track Born from Ambition
The story of the Hungaroring is one of remarkable speed — not just on the track, but in its very creation. Work on the circuit began in 1985, and incredibly, it was race-ready just nine months later. This rapid construction came after the Hungarian government decided against reviving the old Nepliget Park circuit in Budapest, opting instead for a purpose-built facility to host Formula 1.
Stretching 4.381 kilometres, the Hungaroring is often likened to a karting circuit due to its lack of long straights. The track’s layout demands Monaco-level downforce, with a well-sorted chassis often proving more crucial than raw horsepower. Drivers must string together several series of corners, making rhythm and precision key to fast lap times. The short straights and numerous turns make overtaking a real challenge.
Where to Watch
One of the Hungaroring’s unique features is its construction in a natural bowl, similar to the UK’s Brands Hatch. This layout offers spectators excellent vantage points, with grandstands along the main straight providing views of multiple parts of the track. For those lucky enough to attend, it’s an opportunity to see more F1 action.
And if the July heat becomes too much, the nearby Mogyorodi Aquarena water park offers a perfect cool-down option. Plus, with Budapest just 20km away, race-goers can easily explore one of Europe’s most charming city centres.
Race Preview
We’re approaching the mid-point of the season and the championship is intensifying. Max Verstappen continues to lead, but recent races have seen a resurgence from Mercedes.
Drivers’ Current Championship Standings
| Pos | Driver | Car | Points | Wins | Podiums |
| 1 | M. Verstappen | Red Bull | 237 | 7 | 8 |
| 2 | L. Norris | McLaren | 156 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | C. Leclerc | Ferrari | 150 | 1 | 5 |
| 4 | C. Sainz Jr. | Ferrari | 135 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 | S. Pérez | Red Bull | 118 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | O. Piastri | McLaren | 112 | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | G. Russell | Mercedes | 111 | 1 | 2 |
| 8 | L. Hamilton | Mercedes | 85 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | F. Alonso | Aston Martin | 41 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Y. Tsunoda | RB | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | L. Stroll | Aston Martin | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | N. Hulkenberg | Haas | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | D. Ricciardo | RB | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | O. Bearman | Ferrari | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | P. Gasly | Alpine | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | K. Magnussen | Haas | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | E. Ocon | Alpine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | A. Albon | Williams | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | G.Y. Zhou | Kick Sauber | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | V. Bottas | Kick Sauber | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | L. Sargeant | Williams | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Constructors’ Current Championship Standings
| Pos | Constructor | Points | Wins | Podiums |
| 1 | Red Bull | 355 | 7 | 12 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 291 | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | McLaren | 268 | 1 | 8 |
| 4 | Mercedes | 196 | 1 | 3 |
| 5 | Aston Martin | 58 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | RB | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Haas | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Alpine | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Williams | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Kick Sauber | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mercedes comes into the weekend on the back of two consecutive race wins, although they’re cautious about claiming favourite status. Meanwhile, McLaren’s improved form has put them firmly in the mix at the front of the grid.
British Drivers in the Spotlight
Lando Norris: Defending McLaren’s Progress
Lando Norris, currently second in the championship, has been at the forefront of McLaren’s recent resurgence. Despite narrowly missing out on victories, Norris is focusing on the positives and the team’s overall improvement.
“We’ve learned a lot,” Norris explained ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. “I’m still happy in a way that we’re experiencing them now and we’re still learning from these things — it’s better than later on when we probably have even more chances to do so.”
Norris also defended his team’s recent performances, stating, “I feel like a lot of people forget about the good things that we’ve also done — we’ve also been the most consistent team and the best-performing team on average over the last two months, so that should be the headline, not the rest of it.”
Lewis Hamilton: Tempering Expectations Despite Recent Wins
Fresh off Mercedes’ recent successes, Lewis Hamilton comes to Hungary with renewed optimism. “We have a much better race car now compared to last year,” Hamilton said. “I don’t know where exactly we’ll be compared to everyone this weekend, I think it’s still going to be close between us, McLaren and Red Bull — who I still think are slightly ahead.”
Hamilton’s record at the Hungaroring is impressive, with eight victories to his name. As he seeks to extend that record, the British champion is well aware of the challenge ahead: “I’m still me, still unsure of what’s up ahead and it just shows what is possible so keep pushing.”
Insights from the Paddock
Max Verstappen: Acknowledging Increased Competition
Despite his commanding lead in the championship, Max Verstappen is taking nothing for granted. “I’m enjoying [the battle] but I’d also like if we could win with a bit of a gap, but that’s not the case at the moment,” the Dutchman admitted.
He went on to acknowledge the improved performance of Red Bull’s rivals: “The last few races, Mercedes and McLaren have been very strong — they hit the ground running and just got better and better.”
Verstappen also highlighted the challenges of the upcoming race: “Let’s focus on this weekend –- it’s going to be really hot, and we have a few upgrades on the car.”
Carlos Sainz: Ferrari’s Push to Reclaim Lost Ground
At Ferrari, Carlos Sainz is hopeful about the team’s latest upgrades. “We have a very small modification with the floor that we hope will help with the issues we’ve had recently,” Sainz revealed. He didn’t shy away from acknowledging Ferrari’s recent struggles. “The team are pushing flat out as we have been out-developed by our competitors and now we want to fight back.”
How to Watch: F1 Grand Prix Hungary 2024
For UK viewers, the Hungarian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on both Sky Sports and Channel 4. Here’s the full schedule (all times BST):
Friday, July 19
- Practice 1: 12:30 – 13:30
- Practice 2: 16:00 – 17:00
Saturday, July 20
- Practice 3: 11:30 – 12:30
- Qualifying: 15:00 – 16:00
Sunday, July 21
- Race: 14:00