Hungaroring honours racing legends
The Hungaroring circuit has officially named all 14 of its corners, with Lewis Hamilton among the Formula 1 greats to receive permanent recognition. This initiative is part of the Hungarian Grand Prix’s 40th-anniversary celebrations. Turn 2 has been officially designated as “Hamilton,” a tribute to his record at the Budapest venue.
Hamilton holds the distinction of being the most successful driver in the history of the Hungaroring, having achieved eight victories and nine pole positions at the circuit. The decision to name Turn 2 after him is particularly significant, as he had previously expressed that this specific turn would be his preferred choice if a corner were ever named in his honour.
To mark this occasion, Hamilton participated in a special ceremony where he left his handprints in plaster. These handprints, along with those of Nigel Mansell and Jean Alesi, will be cast in concrete and permanently installed in the circuit’s run-off areas, commemorating their contributions to the sport.
Fan involvement and expert review
The extensive renaming project was initiated last year through a fan vote, allowing supporters to suggest names for the corners. These fan submissions were then reviewed by a panel of motorsport experts and veteran media representatives. This panel included professionals who have been associated with the circuit since the inaugural Hungarian Grand Prix in 1986, alongside senior figures from specialist motorsport media.
The process ensured that both fan sentiment and historical significance were considered in the final selection of names. The official naming of all 14 corners solidifies the circuit’s history and its connection to the sport’s most iconic figures.
Beyond Hamilton, several other titans of Formula 1 have also been honoured. Turn 1 is now named after Nelson Piquet, commemorating his notable outside pass on Ayrton Senna during the circuit’s first race in 1986. Piquet also won the first two Grand Prix held at the circuit. Turn 4 is dedicated to Nigel Mansell, who famously secured his 1992 World Championship at the Hungaroring. Mansell’s history at the track also includes a charge from 12th on the grid to victory two years after a retirement due to a loose wheel nut in 1987.
Turn 11 has been officially named “Alesi,” acknowledging the corner where Jean Alesi experienced a significant practice crash in 1995. This turn had long been informally referred to as “Alesi” by fans, and the official naming makes this tribute permanent. Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna are also recognised, with Turns 12 and 13 named in their honour, respectively. Schumacher secured his fourth world title at the circuit in 2001 and won four Hungarian Grands Prix, while Senna was the first polesitter at the track. Hungarian driver and engineer Ferenc Szisz, who won the very first Grand Prix in history in 1906, is honoured at Turn 14.
The remaining corners have been given names that reflect the local area, incorporating references to the Valley of the Three Springs, the municipality of Mogyoród, Hungary’s first driver training facility, Budapest, and the River Danube. This blend of local geography and motorsport history ensures that the circuit’s identity is deeply rooted in both its location and its legacy.
The official naming ceremony and the installation of the handprints are part of the ongoing celebrations for the Hungarian Grand Prix’s 40th anniversary, solidifying the track’s history and its connection to the sport’s most iconic figures.
With the corners now officially named and the plaster set, Hamilton’s unparalleled dominance in Budapest will forever be a literal part of the track map.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
