The Hungaroring was built in the mid-Eighties to host the first Grand Prix to take place in the Eastern bloc. The track was initially criticised for its twisty layout but over the years it has gained acceptance for the technical challenge it presents. The inaugural race in 1986 was a massive success after over 100,000 people turned up to watch a battle of the Brazilians after Nelson Piquet put in one of his great drives to defeat Ayrton Senna.

Despite its layout Hungary has produced some fantastic grand prix racing over the years. The 1989 race produced one of Nigel Mansell's finest ever drives. The Brummie was in the first year of his stint with Ferrari and 'il Leone' was perhaps in his prime. A disastrous qualifying saw Mansell start 12th, but he proved that you can overtake in Hungary if you are determined and skilful enough. With 20 laps to go he was harrying Ayrton Senna's McLaren when the pair came upon the faltering Stefan Johannsson. Mansell's freakish reflexes saw the Ferrari jink past both Senna and Johansson in one movement and cemented the race in legend.

Damon Hill was another Brit who enjoyed some great results in Hungary. He took his first win at the track in 1993 and won again in '95. Hill almost made it a famous hat-trick in 1997 when he came within a lap of winning Arrows' first grand prix. He had dominated the race in the John Barnard's car and was on course for a famous win until his gearbox hydraulics packed up a lap from home. Jacques Villeneuve swept through to take the spoils for Williams, repeating the win he had scored in the race the year before.