Welcome to the Hungary F1 24 Track Guide!
Discover how to master the technical and challenging Hungary circuit, officially known as the Hungaroring. This guide will provide a detailed breakdown of each sector, corner-by-corner tips, previous pole lap benchmarks, and essential car setup advice. Famous for its tight layout, rapid direction changes, and demanding nature, Hungary is one of the most intricate and rewarding circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. Often referred to as “Monaco without the walls,” the Hungaroring requires precision, consistency, and a strong setup to excel. Whether you’re a seasoned sim racer or new to the sport, this guide will help you conquer the Hungarian Grand Prix circuit with confidence.
Circuit Overview
- Location: Budapest, Hungary
- Length: 4.381 km (2.722 miles)
- Corners: 14
- DRS Zones: 2
- Layout: A tight, twisty circuit with rapid direction changes and minimal overtaking opportunities outside of Turn 1.
- Surface: Smooth asphalt with medium grip levels, demanding careful tyre management.
- Unique Feature: Known as “Monaco without the walls,” the Hungaroring’s technical layout tests both driver skill and car stability, requiring precision and a strong setup for success
Sector 1: (Turns 1-3)
- Turn 1:
The lap begins with a long run into Turn 1, one of the best overtaking spots on the circuit. Brake hard at around the 100m board and shift down rapidly while keeping the car stable. Hug the inside apex and open up the steering early to maximize your exit speed for the following straight. - Turn 2:
After a short straight, approach Turn 2 with care. It’s a downhill left-hander that requires trail braking to keep the car balanced. Stay tight to the apex without overcommitting, as the camber helps grip but punishes mistakes. - Turn 3:
Use all the track and let the car flow naturally through this high-speed right kink. It’s a chance to carry momentum and prepare for the technical demands of Sector
Sector 2: (Turns 4-11)
- Turn 4:
This uphill left is one of the trickiest corners on the circuit. Brake lightly while aiming for the apex, which is difficult to spot on entry. Use the kerbs carefully, as going wide will invalidate your lap or cost valuable time. - Turn 5:
A flowing, medium-speed corner that rewards commitment. Stay smooth on the throttle and focus on positioning the car for the upcoming chicane. - Turn 6-7:
The track narrows here, and precision is key. Attack the apexes of both the right and left turns while being cautious of unsettling the car over the kerbs. Keep the car stable on exit to maintain speed. - Turn 8-9:
A rapid change of direction demands precision and rhythm. Stay light on the steering and avoid scrubbing speed as you flow through this section. Clip the inside kerb at turn 8, sacrifice a little speed and stay tight to the left of the track, to open up and take more speed through turn 9, avoid running wide on exit. - Turn 10:
This long, high-speed left sets you up for Turn 11. Keep the car balanced and don’t sacrifice too much speed. - Turn 11:
A high-speed right-hander where confidence is key. Commit early, keep the car stable, and use all the track to carry speed into Sector 3.
Sector 3: (Turns 12-14)
- Turn 12:
Brake hard and late but stay smooth on turn-in. Clip the inside kerb while preparing for the tight sequence ahead. Avoid running too wide, as it will compromise your line into Turn 13. - Turn 13:
A slow, tight left-hander that tests your traction on exit. Be patient with throttle application and focus on setting up for the final corner. - Turn 14:
The lap concludes with a long, sweeping right-hander. Aim for a late apex, letting the car flow out to the track’s edge on exit. Maximize your speed onto the start/finish straight to complete the lap strong.
Full Qualifying Lap
In this section, you’ll find my full Hungary F1 24 qualifying lap video, where I push the limits of precision and speed to challenge myself against real-world qualifying lap times. Experience the thrill of navigating the Hungaroring’s iconic corners, such as Turn 1, the technical chicane at Turns 6-7, and the high-speed Turn 11. Watch as I tackle the fast-flowing Sector 2 with absolute precision and manage the tight, technical challenges of Sector 3.
See how my lap stacks up against the best in Formula 1 and witness the technical mastery required to conquer the demanding Hungary circuit. Immerse yourself in the excitement of this challenging track and the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Previous Pole Lap Times at the Hungary Grand Prix
Here are the pole lap times for the Hungary Grand Prix in recent years, showcasing the incredible speed and precision required to master the demanding Hungaroring circuit:
- 2024 Pole Lap: Lando Norris – 1:15.227
- 2023 Pole Lap: Lewis Hamilton – 1:16.609
- 2022 Pole Lap: George Russell – 1:17.377
- 2021 Pole Lap: Lewis Hamilton – 1:15.419
- 2020 Pole Lap: Lewis Hamilton – 1:13.447
Personal Lap Reflection
This lap was overall pretty good. The Hungary circuit is an extremely challenging track to master, and it isn’t usually one of my strongest. That said, this lap felt solid for me. With this setup, I was able to ride the kerbs well, and that is the key to mastering Hungary. The car needs to be as stable as possible, and my setup allows for that stability.
I was a little conservative over the kerbs in the chicane, which cost me some time in the mid-corner phase. However, thanks to the balance of this setup, I was able to gain back that lost time on corner exit, as it gave me a great line for the following turn. The key to this lap is maintaining momentum and letting the car flow through the corners.
Tyre management can be a significant challenge at this circuit, but this setup provides the stability needed to preserve your tyres, giving you solid strategy options for longer stints.
Hungary F1 24 Setup
For my Hungary F1 24 Grand Prix qualifying lap, I used a setup tailored for a 35% race distance with 100 AI difficulty. This balanced setup is designed to handle Hungary’s challenging corners, including its technical chicanes and fast-flowing direction changes, while maintaining excellent stability.
The setup doesn’t require any mid-session adjustments, such as brake bias or differential changes, making it a reliable, “set it and forget it” approach. It’s perfect for focusing entirely on your lap and race performance without needing to worry about constant tweaks.
| Aerodynamics | Front wing | 50 |
| Rear wing | 48 | |
| Transmission | Differential on-throttle | 85% |
| Differential off-throttle | 10% | |
| Engine braking | 100% | |
| Suspension Geometry | Front camber | -3.50 |
| Rear camber | -2.20 | |
| Front toe-out | 0.00 | |
| Rear toe-in | 0.03 | |
| Suspension | Front suspension | 41 |
| Rear suspension | 1 | |
| Front anti-roll bar | 21 | |
| Rear anti-roll bar | 17 | |
| Front ride height | 25 | |
| Rear ride height | 55 | |
| Brakes | Brake pressure | 100% |
| Front brake bias | 55% | |
| Tyres | Front right tyre pressure | 26.5psi |
| Front left tyre pressure | 29.5psi | |
| Rear right tyre pressure | 25.0psi | |
| Rear left tyre pressure | 26.5psi |
Memorable Moments of the Hungary Grand Prix
- Felipe Massa’s Miracle Escape (2009):
One of the most shocking and terrifying moments in Hungary GP history occurred in 2009 when Felipe Massa was struck on the helmet by an errant spring from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn GP. The spring, traveling at an astonishing 240 km/h (150 mph), hit Massa in the head, causing him to crash heavily into the barriers. The impact left Massa gravely injured, but fortunately, after a lengthy hospital stay and surgeries, he made a miraculous recovery. This moment left a lasting impact on the F1 community, highlighting the importance of safety in the sport. - Brilliant Button Breaks His Duck (2006):
Jenson Button’s first-ever Formula 1 victory came in the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix, and it was a memorable one. Starting from 14th on the grid, Button showcased his skill in tricky wet-dry conditions. As the race unfolded, leader Fernando Alonso suffered a mishap when he lost a wheel nut and spun off, allowing Button to take the lead and ultimately cross the finish line in first place. Not only was it a historic win for Button, but it also marked Honda’s first victory as a fully-fledged constructor since 1967, making it a landmark moment in F1 history. - Mansell Seals the Title (1992):
Nigel Mansell secured his first World Championship in the 1992 Hungarian Grand Prix, marking a historic moment in Formula 1. Having dominated the season with eight wins in the first ten races, Mansell only needed a second-place finish in Hungary to seal the title. With this result, he became the most experienced first-time champion in history, having made 176 Grand Prix starts before claiming his long-awaited crown. It was a well-deserved victory for the battling Brit, who had endured a long road to championship glory. - Esteban Ocon’s First Win (2021):
Esteban Ocon made history at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix by securing his first-ever Formula 1 victory. It was a dramatic race, with plenty of twists and turns, including a first-lap collision that eliminated several contenders. Ocon, driving for Alpine, showed incredible composure and skill, holding off Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton in the closing laps to claim an unforgettable win. It was a breakthrough moment for the French driver and a landmark victory for the Alpine team, who celebrated their first win since Renault’s return to F1. - Hamilton’s Lonely Restart (2021):
In the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton faced a unique and dramatic challenge during the race restart. Following a massive first-lap crash involving multiple cars, the race was temporarily halted, and the grid was reformed for a restart. However, during the restart, Hamilton found himself isolated at the front of the grid, as his fellow drivers all dived into the pits for a change of tyres on a rapidly drying track.
Conclusion
The Hungary Grand Prix is one of the most challenging and technical circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. With its combination of tight, twisty corners, fast flowing sectors, and unpredictable weather conditions, mastering this track requires both precision and a stable setup to maintain consistent lap times. From the tricky chicanes to the high-speed direction changes in Sector 2, every corner demands your full focus and commitment.
With the right car setup and strategy, Hungary offers limited opportunities for overtakes, only really at Turn 1, while the rest of the lap tests your ability to manage tyre wear and maintain momentum. Though it’s a track that may not be a favourite for every driver, a solid lap here can be incredibly rewarding.
I hope this guide helps you master the Hungarian circuit and achieve your best performances. Stay tuned for more track guides and setup tips, as we continue to explore the iconic circuits of Formula 1!
I put together this track guide using my trusty Fanatec GT DD Pro 8Nm racing wheel paired with the F1 Esports V2 rim, along with modded CSL pedals for that extra responsiveness. I race on the PS5, seated comfortably in my modified Playseat Challenge. To elevate my performance even further, I gear up with specialized gloves and boots that provide the perfect grip and feel. This setup has truly enhanced my control and precision on the track, making every racing session not just competitive, but incredibly enjoyable!
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