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In celebration of forty years of Formula 1 Grand Prix racing in Hungary, the Hungaroring circuit has officially designated names for each of its fourteen corners. This initiative honors both legendary figures in the sport and significant local landmarks.

Hungaroring immortalizes F1 Icons and Hungarian Heritage on its 40th Anniversary

On July 24, 2026, the Hungaroring track officials announced the formal naming of all 14 corners, a momentous occasion marking four decades since Formula 1 first graced Hungarian soil. The decision, which followed a fan vote and expert committee review, saw half of the turns dedicated to celebrated figures in Formula 1 history.

Among those honored are racing titans such as Nelson Piquet, Lewis Hamilton, Nigel Mansell, Jean Alesi, Michael Schumacher, and Ayrton Senna. These drivers were chosen for their indelible impact on the sport and their specific connections to the Hungaroring circuit. For instance, Turn 1 has been christened 'Piquet' in recognition of Nelson Piquet's victories in the first two Grands Prix held at the venue, and his iconic overtake of Senna at this very turn during the inaugural race. Lewis Hamilton, the circuit's most triumphant driver with eight wins and nine pole positions, also received a dedicated corner, as did Nigel Mansell, who secured his 1992 championship title at this track.

Jean Alesi's infamous 1995 practice crash at Turn 11 led to it being colloquially known by his name, which is now officially recognized. Michael Schumacher, who claimed his fourth Drivers' Championship at the Hungaroring in 2001 and boasts four Hungarian Grand Prix wins, also has a corner named after him. Ayrton Senna, the first pole-sitter at the circuit, is similarly honored. Furthermore, Hungarian racing pioneer Ferenc Szisz, winner of the first-ever Grand Prix in 1906 and a former head of Renault's testing division, also received a dedicated corner.

Adding a unique touch to this commemoration, handprints of Hamilton, Mansell, and Alesi will be cast in concrete and embedded in the Hungaroring's run-off areas, creating a lasting tribute. The remaining corners have been named to reflect the rich local heritage, with designations inspired by the picturesque Valley of the Three Springs, the municipality of Mogyoród, Hungary's premier driver training facility, the vibrant city of Budapest, and the majestic River Danube.

This thoughtful blend of motorsport legacy and local culture ensures that the Hungaroring's 40th anniversary celebration is a fitting tribute to both the heroes of the track and the essence of Hungary.

This initiative by the Hungaroring demonstrates a profound appreciation for its history and the legendary figures who have shaped it. By naming corners after F1 icons, the circuit not only memorializes their achievements but also creates a deeper connection for fans, allowing them to recall pivotal moments in motorsport with every turn. The inclusion of local landmarks further embeds the circuit within Hungary's cultural fabric, transforming a race track into a living monument. This blend of global sport and regional identity sets a powerful example for other venues seeking to honor their past while celebrating their present.

In a challenging second practice session for Formula 1's Hungarian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton claimed the fastest time, just ahead of his Ferrari colleague Charles Leclerc. The Hungaroring circuit proved tricky for many competitors, with several drivers reporting issues and one significant incident.

The session was characterized by fluctuating track conditions, including a noticeable drop in temperature and increased wind gusts. These factors contributed to difficulties for drivers in finding an optimal car setup on the bumpy, low-grip surface, parts of which also featured newly laid tarmac. Among those who struggled were George Russell, who described his car's rear balance as "dreadful," and Kimi Antonelli, who experienced rear locking. Charles Leclerc had a front-wheel lock-up at Turn 1, while Pierre Gasly expressed concerns about his car's handling. The session was briefly halted after Franco Colapinto of Alpine crashed into the barriers after losing control of his vehicle.

Early in the session, Ferrari appeared to adapt well to the altered conditions. Hamilton initially set the pace on medium tires with a time of 1m19.648s, slightly faster than Leclerc. Max Verstappen of Red Bull trailed by seven-tenths of a second. Hamilton improved his own best time to 1m19.585s. Later, as teams switched to soft C5 tires, Lando Norris of McLaren briefly topped the leaderboard with a 1m29.228s lap, two-tenths quicker than Verstappen's attempt on soft tires. However, both struggled to achieve significant improvements relative to Hamilton's earlier medium-tire performance. Mercedes faced challenges in matching its rivals, with Russell four-tenths off the pace in fourth. Antonelli's hot lap was interrupted by Colapinto's crash and further hampered by a significant slide at Turn 6 upon the session's resumption, indicating his car's rear axle issues persisted.

During the final twenty minutes, Ferrari managed to complete some cleaner laps. Leclerc posted a time of 1m18.877s, marginally faster than Hamilton's previous best, but Hamilton then responded with a 1m18.729s lap to secure the top position. Leclerc's subsequent attempt was hindered by Russell. Norris's initial soft-tire lap placed him third, followed closely by Verstappen, Russell, and Isack Hadjar. Racing Bulls continued their strong performance with Liam Lawson finishing seventh, ahead of Piastri. Nico Hulkenberg and Arvid Lindblad completed the top ten. Championship leader Antonelli finished 13th after abandoning his qualifying simulation. Aston Martin's significantly upgraded car, driven by Fernando Alonso, placed 19th, approximately three seconds behind the leaders, similar to Cadillac's pace. Aston Martin likely prioritized fine-tuning their B-spec car over outright speed, especially after Lance Stroll's rear suspension failure in FP1, which forced him to miss the second practice session.

The second practice session highlighted the challenging conditions at the Hungaroring, with Lewis Hamilton leading a Ferrari 1-2 amidst numerous driver struggles and a red flag incident. The results also provided a glimpse into team performances and ongoing adjustments ahead of the main race.