40 Years of the Hungaroring: A Free Photo Exhibition You’ll Want to Visit in Budapest

Budapest is buzzing with motorsport history this summer, and you don’t need to be a die-hard Formula 1 fan to feel it. A stunning outdoor photo exhibition has just opened in one of the city’s most beloved parks, celebrating four remarkable decades of the Hungaroring — Hungary’s iconic racing circuit and the home of the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix. If you’re visiting Budapest between now and late July, this is one cultural stop that’s absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.

A Hollywood Story Written in Asphalt

The Hungaroring opened its gates on June 15, 1986 — and the story of how it came to exist is, as many people have noted, the stuff of Hollywood screenplays. Built in just ten months by socialist construction companies working at a breakneck pace, the circuit at Mogyoród on the outskirts of Budapest was inaugurated with a motorcycle race in honour of Hungarian racing driver János Drapál. Just two months later, on August 10, 1986, the first Hungarian Grand Prix roared into life — and more than 200,000 spectators showed up to witness it.

That a Formula 1 race came to Hungary at all during the Cold War era, behind the Iron Curtain, was nothing short of extraordinary. Yet here it has remained, through political upheavals, social transformations, and decades of change, returning to Mogyoród every single year without interruption. Today, the Hungaroring holds a confirmed place on the F1 calendar all the way through to 2032, and last year it beat out Silverstone and Melbourne to win the award for best fan experience — a remarkable achievement for a circuit with such a distinctive history.

The Exhibition: 40 Images, 40 Years

To mark this milestone anniversary, the Hungaroring has launched a special jubilee photo exhibition titled “40 Years of the Hungaroring”, and the setting couldn’t be more fitting. The 30-panel display, featuring a carefully curated selection of 40 photographs, has been installed in the Széllkapu Park section of Millenáris Park — one of Budapest’s most atmospheric green spaces, located on the Buda side of the city.

The images span the full breadth of the circuit’s history, from the earliest days of the Grand Prix to legendary races, iconic moments, and unforgettable victories that have defined four decades of Hungarian motorsport. The exhibition isn’t exclusively about Formula 1 either — it captures the broader story of the circuit and its place in Hungarian sporting and cultural life. Think of it as a love letter to a place that has connected Hungary to the world, framed beautifully and displayed for all to enjoy for free.

One of the highlights of the opening event was the presence of Zsolt Baumgartner, Hungary’s first and only Formula 1 driver, who made his unexpected debut at the very same Hungaroring before racing for Jordan and Minardi. His attendance added a deeply personal dimension to the celebration, a living link between the circuit’s storied past and its continuing legacy.

Why This Exhibition Is Worth Your Time

Even if you’ve never watched a Formula 1 race in your life, there’s something genuinely moving about this exhibition. It tells a story about a small country punching far above its weight on the world stage, about the strange and fascinating ways that sport can transcend politics, and about the kind of passionate, loyal fan culture that keeps an event alive for forty years running.

Millenáris Park itself is a wonderful destination — a former industrial site transformed into a beautifully landscaped urban park with cultural venues, open green spaces, and a relaxed, creative atmosphere that makes it one of the most pleasant places in Buda to spend an afternoon. The exhibition fits naturally into the park’s spirit of blending history, culture, and community.

Another excellent reason to visit in the evening: the panels are illuminated after dark, giving the whole display a dramatically different and particularly atmospheric quality. A summer evening stroll through the exhibition, with the photographs glowing against the night sky, makes for a genuinely memorable experience.

Practical Information

Here’s everything you need to know before you go:

• What: “40 Years of the Hungaroring” — a jubilee outdoor photo exhibition featuring 40 photographs across 30 panels
• Where: Széllkapu Park, Millenáris Park, 2nd district, Buda, Budapest
• When: Open daily until July 28, 2026, including evenings
• Admission: Free of charge
• Best time to visit: Evening, when the panels are illuminated for a particularly atmospheric experience
• Getting there: Millenáris Park is easily reachable by tram (tram line 4/6 to Széna tér, then a short walk) or by taxi/rideshare from the city centre
• Tip: Combine your visit with the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend on July 26, 2026 for the full Hungaroring anniversary experience