Formula 1 hit the halfway point of the season two weeks ago at Silverstone Circuit, where McLaren’s Lando Norris took a maiden home victory in front of thousands of adoring fans and, for the very first time, a sea of spectators draped in the signature yellow of his merchandise in his very own grandstand – the “Landostand” – on the outside of Stowe corner.
Characterised by typically British weather, multiple safety car interruptions, an entourage of on-track incidents – including a controversial manoeuvre by championship leader Oscar Piastri on lap 21 that ultimately ripped a shot at victory from his grasp – and, of course, a first career podium for 37-year-old Nico Hulkenberg after a record-breaking 239 race starts, it was a race to remember.
Thanks to Lando’s triumph, just eight points separate the two McLarens at the top of the Drivers’ Standings, intensifying an already intoxicating intra-team battle. But with F1’s official 14-day summer shutdown in August and the end of the European season on the horizon, the next set of races is critical for dictating the momentum in the title fight as we race towards the end of the 24-event campaign at the Yas Marina Circuit in December.
The F1 circus travels deep into the Ardennes Forrest for Round 13 at the legendary 7.004-kilometre (4.352-mile) Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – where Mercedes appeared to have the fastest package in 2024 – next weekend, before it swaps waffles for goulash at the twisty and technical 4.381-kilometre (2.722-mile) Hungaroring at the beginning of August.
The Diagonal Comms team recently visited both venues for our client ROKiT to deliver a comms, PR, and content creation package in order to activate their sponsorship of GB3 driver, reigning British F4 champion, and winner of the groundbreaking ROKiT Racing Star competition, Deagen Fairclough – but it was our trip to the Hungaroring for Round 4 of the GB3 season that we we enjoyed a preview of the circuit’s newly revamped pit building, main grandstand, and grounds, all of which the F1 paddock can look forward to ahead of this year’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Located a mere 20-minute drive from Hungary’s capital city, Budapest, the Hungaroring is one of our team’s favourite destinations. Two of Budapest’s popular nicknames – the Queen of the Danube and Paris of the East – tell you all you need to know about the city itself, which is famous for its history, beautiful architecture, and food. Back at the track, the Hungaroring’s 14-turn layout is a catalyst for exciting, strategy-driven racing, which has led to many iconic moments, including Nelson Piquet’s mighty sideways overtake around the outside of Ayrton Senna in 1986, 2009 World Champion Jenson Button’s first race win in 2006, and the bemusing scene of Lewis Hamilton restarting the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix all on his lonesome on the grid as the rest of the field pitted for dry tyres.
Culture? Check. Racing? Check. Now, thanks to a $70 million redevelopment project, the Hungaroring’s facilities have had a major upgrade, which made for a rather enjoyable weekend in the GB3 Championship, and is sure to do the same for the stars of F1 in two weeks…
As you walk into the track, you are now greeted with a modern welcome building and a small but beautifully constructed and maintained garden area, which features a plethora of statues and metallic artwork with depictions of famous figures associated with the Hungaroring, including past winners, and even former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
A brand-new four-story pit building now sits proudly next to the circuit’s main straight, replacing its nearly 40-year-old equivalent that had housed teams, media, officials, and special guests since F1 first ventured to Hungary back in 1986, amidst the beginnings of a period of transformation in the country. With 36 garages, a rooftop terrace, flashy hospitality, and a shiny new (and perfectly air-conditioned!) media centre, the heart of the Hungaroring will not disappoint those hard at work over a race weekend, even though it is only set to be completed by the 2026 Grand Prix.
On the other side of the track is a brand-new 3,000-square-metre grandstand, which will welcome 10,000 fans from across the globe to watch ‘lights out’ from as close as you can get, and, thankfully, in the shade! If fans listen carefully enough, they might just be able to hear David Croft’s exclamations as the field fights tooth and nail on the fourth-longest run down to turn one, as the grandstand will also house commentary booths.
From a circuit with some of the most outdated facilities on the F1 calendar to a venue with some of the best, it was a pleasure for the Diagonal Comms team to travel to the Hungaroring once again, having first ventured to the track last season with rising Australian racing driver, Patrick Heuzenroeder.