With just under two month away from this year’s Hungarian Grand Prix, representative of Formula One, the FIA and the F1 teams have completed their first inspection of the Hungaroring’s brand-new main building.
Teams and fans will encounter a very different Hungaroring when the 4.3km circuit hosts this year’s Hungarian Grand Prix at the beginning of August.
The Hungarian track began the most significant reconstruction and modernisation of its history after last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix, and the process has entered its final phase. The entire main building was demolished and a new, modern facility has been created that hosts the teams’ garages and the Hungaroring’s offices.
Moreover, the main grandstand was also completely demolished in order to create space for a new facility. The main entrance has also been renovated while the main straight has been resurfaced.
From Monday to Wednesday, the track located just on the outskirts of Budapest hosted a sizeable international delegation, which included representatives from Formula 1, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and the teams.
There has been continuous communication with the international promoter of the Formula One World Championship, with experts visiting the circuit at Mogyoród at least once a month to monitor the details of the ongoing redevelopment works.
However, at the beginning of this week – two months ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix – a three-day visit took place, focusing specifically on a comprehensive inspection of the new main building and the garages.
Zsolt Gyulay, Chairman and CEO of Hungaroring Sport Zrt., welcomed the representatives of Formula One Management, the FIA, and the teams. The experts in charge at the Hungaroring then conducted an extensive tour of the new main building, during which, the visitors asked questions, took notes, and exchanged ideas.
They were guided through the significantly expanded facility – in comparison with the previous one – by Ariane Frank-Meulenbelt, Head of International Relations at the Hungaroring, and Gábor Richter, Circuit Director.
Commenting on the inspection, a statement from the Hungaroring read: “Initial remarks were highly complimentary; the visitors were astonished by the extent of the transformation the venue had undergone in just nine months – and particularly by the quality of the work.
“They noted that while developments at other circuits have occasionally been completed quickly, it is rare to see such a high standard of execution – and they could only offer their congratulations. They further expressed the view that, in terms of infrastructure, the Hungaroring may now rank among the top racing circuits in the world.”
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