Welcome to the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Hungarian Grand Prix can be regarded as one of Formula 1's most fascinating and technically challenging races. The Grand Prix has taken place at the Hungaroring circuit, one of the more unique races on the calendar, since 1986. The race has developed a strength for battles of strategy, debut wins, and championship-changing moments.
It makes sense that the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix is shaping up to be yet another classic. The Grand Prix is scheduled on August 3rd, 2025, at 1:00 PM (UTC). This year's race is sure to be as entertaining as ever. The stakes are at an all-time high this year with Oscar Piastri, who won his first F1 race here last year, currently winning the championship for McLaren with his teammate Lando Norris on his tail and meanwhile, legends like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are keen to remind the paddock that they are still capable of winning.
A Brief History of the Hungarian GP

The Hungarian Grand Prix has one of the most interesting backstories in Formula 1.
The very first Hungarian GP happened on June 21, 1936, on a temporary track in Népliget Park in Budapest. Motor racing giants Mercedes-Benz, Auto Union, and Alfa Romeo all sent teams, and a substantial crowd attended. Then, due to political upheaval and the outbreak of the Second World War, racing in Hungary disappeared for the next 50 years.
In 1986, Formula 1 broke new ground. Under the guidance of Bernie Ecclestone, F1 brought the championship behind the Iron Curtain for the first time. The Hungaroring was built, and Nelson Piquet won the first race in front of 200,000 spectators—an outrageous number, considering how expensive tickets were in those days.
Since the inaugural race in 1986, the Hungarian GP has been a regular feature on the Grand Prix calendar. The circuit is known for its tight layout and hot weather in the summer, delivering some of F1’s most exciting moments and continuing to be an important race on the calendar.
Hungaroring—The Technical Gem of F1
The Hungaroring is located in Mogyoród, just outside of Budapest. The circuit is 4.381 km (2.722 miles) long with 14 corners and is often referred to as "Monaco without the walls."
The track’s narrow, twisty nature makes overtaking notoriously difficult, which means qualifying positions are very important. If you can start the race from pole position here, your chances of winning the race are very good. As ex-F1 driver Jolyon Palmer noted:
“The first sector is pretty much two corners, then you have to find a rhythm in the middle sector. It’s one of those tracks where every corner sets up the next corner. It’s relentless.”
With that relentless flow, tire management and pit strategy play a big part in your success.
Hungaroring Facts:
First GP: 1986
Lap Record: 1m 16.627s—Lewis Hamilton (2020)
Most Wins: Lewis Hamilton (8)
Most Poles: Lewis Hamilton (9)
The Hungaroring is also known for having passionate crowds. German and Finnish fans tend to travel in large groups to the race, and the surrounding festival is an experience uniquely Hungaroring.
Since then, the Hungarian GP has become an annual event. With a narrow layout in the scorching summer heat, the race has produced many of Formula 1's greatest moments and it remains a staple of the calendar!
Iconic Moments in Hungarian GP History
The Hungarian GP has had some memorable races over the last thirty-seven years:
1989: Twelve on the grid, Nigel Mansell wins the race by passing Ayrton Senna in stunning fashion while Senna was being held up by a backmarker.
1997: Damon Hill in the underpowered Arrows-Yamaha nearly pulled off one of F1's greatest upsets only to lose power on the last lap and not win.
2006: Starting from 14th, Jenson Button was able to take his first victory—and Honda's first constructor's victory since 1967—in the wet!
2021: Esteban Ocon holds off Lewis Hamilton for his first victory for Alpine, while chaos unravels behind him.
2024 (or is it 2025?): Oscar Piastri wins his first F1 race, where McLaren goes 1-2 with Lando Norris. These races can help us remember that although it has a reputation for processional races, the Hungarian GP can produce pure magic when the conditions are right.
Hungarian GP Winners & Records
The track is a playground of legends; one of those legends is Lewis Hamilton, who has won here 8 times, which is the most ever!
Most Hungarian GP Wins (Drivers):
8 wins – Lewis Hamilton (2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020)
4 wins – Michael Schumacher (1994, 1998, 2001, 2004)
3 wins – Ayrton Senna (1988, 1991, 1992)
Recent Winners:
2024 – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2022 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2021 – Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
2020 – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2025 Season Context—Who's Knocking the Other Drivers Down?
The 2025 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be a McLaren masterclass to date.
Driver Standings Before Hungary:
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 266 points
Lando Norris (McLaren) – 250 points
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 185 points
George Russell (Mercedes) – 157 points
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 139 points
Constructors’ Standings:
McLaren – 516 points
Ferrari – 248 points
Mercedes – 220 points
Red Bull—192 points
McLaren's tally of 516 is more than DOUBLE Ferrari's tally—that's how dominant they have been.
McLaren's Dream Duo—Piastri vs. Norris
McLaren's resurgence is one of the big stories in F1. The MCL39 is the car to have, and Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are getting everything out of it.
Piastri won here last year in his first ever F1 win and now leads the championship.
Norris has been equally as fast, winning in Austria and Silverstone.
Hungary could provide the ideal opportunity for another McLaren showdown. Will they be allowed to race each other? Or will a teammate out front on a different strategy dictate championship points supremacy?
The Chasing Pack—Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes
- As much as McLaren is dominating, the big fish aren't just hanging around.
- Ferrari brought some upgrades in Belgium that helped Charles Leclerc get back onto the podium. Hungary might suit the SF-25 on its twisty layout even more.
- Red Bull may not be the tiger it once was, but Max Verstappen has won here twice (2022, 2023). He is always dangerous.
- Mercedes is struggling, but Hungary is Lewis Hamilton's playground. With 8 wins and 9 poles here, he could spring a surprise.
- Hungaroring Tire and Strategy Overview
- The Hungaroring is demanding on tires, and when the heat kicks in, it makes things even tougher.
- Pirelli Tires:
- Hard – C3
- Medium – C4
- Soft – C5
Last year, there were many two-stop strategies. The medium tire was the best-performing tire, while teams also used softs for some short stints.
- Time loss in an average pit stop—~20.6 seconds.
- Probability of a safety car—25%.
2025 Hungarian GP—Race Predictions and Betting Thoughts
Hungary has a tight nature to it, which often leads to tactical battles about track position and strategy outcomes.
There are plenty of options for race predictions, and the following is a top 3 predicted finish:
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) A defending winner and in top form.
Lando Norris (McLaren) right behind his teammate
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) Experience and previous race wins could carry him to a podium.
Dark Horse: Lewis Hamilton. You can never count out Lewis Hamilton at the Hungaroring.
For bettors, this race offers plenty of value; betting on qualifying, safety cars, or podium finishers could be as valuable as betting on winning.
Why Hungary Always Stands Out?
The Hungarian GP has it all—history, drama, strategy, unexpected outcomes… From Piquet’s 1986 win behind the Iron Curtain to Button’s first win in 2006 to Piastri’s breakout performance in 2024, the Hungaroring has produced some of the all-time classic moments in F1.
In 2025, the questions abound:
Can Oscar Piastri consolidate his title advantage?
Can Lando Norris fight back?
Will Hamilton or Verstappen ruin McLaren’s party?