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Of all the countries in the former Easter Bloc, Hungary had the freest enterprise culture and the closest links with the West. It also had a motor racing pedigree when went back to a first Grand Prix run in 1906, while there had been racing in Budapest from 1926.
Built with state backing, and laid out in a natural amphitheatre, the Hungaroring opened in 1986 and attracted an estimated 200,000 spectators. Though the event was well-organised, and the hosts very appreciative, it was felt that the 2.494 mile Hungaroring had been laid out more in the style of a twisty street circuit rather than a bespoke road track. There were few opportunities for overtaking, though things were eased from 1989 when a tight corner, the 'Dirversion' was by-passed and the lap distance became 2.466 miles.
In 2003 a number of modifications were carried out to the track including the lengthening of the start-straight by 202 metres.
However, in the opinion of many, year after year after year the Hungaroring continues to provide one of the most dismal, boring races of the season. This isn't entirely down to the track, but also the 'limitations' of the new breed of F1 car, and indeed the sprint-stop-sprint limitations of the sport.
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