Lewis Hamilton joins a prestigious list of Formula 1 legends with a corner named after him at the Hungaroring, as the circuit celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who holds the record for 8 victories and 9 pole positions at the Budapest circuit, now has Turn 2 named in his honor. Fans voted on the new corner names during last year’s race weekend, and the suggestions were subsequently reviewed by a panel of experts. This panel included motorsport professionals who have worked at the circuit since the inaugural Hungarian Grand Prix in 1986, as well as leading members of the specialist motorsport media.
As part of the celebrations, Hamilton also left his handprint alongside Nigel Mansell and Jean Alesi. These three handprints will be cast in concrete and permanently installed in one of the circuit’s run-off areas.
Beyond Hamilton, the Hungaroring has honored several other great names in Formula 1. Turn 1 is named after Nelson Piquet, winner of the first two Hungarian Grands Prix and the author of his famous outside pass on Ayrton Senna during the inaugural 1986 race.
Turn 4 commemorates Nigel Mansell, who secured the 1992 world championship at the Hungaroring and produced a memorable victory from 12th on the grid two years earlier.
Jean Alesi, whose name had long been associated with Turn 11 following his practice crash there in 1995, now has the nickname officially adopted by the circuit.
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Turn 12 honors Michael Schumacher, who claimed four Hungarian Grand Prix victories and sealed his fourth Formula 1 world title at the venue in 2001. Turn 13 pays tribute to Ayrton Senna, the first pole-sitter at the inaugural Hungarian Grand Prix and a three-time world champion.
Several corners also celebrate the circuit’s surroundings and Hungarian motorsport history. Turn 3 is named " Spring " after the Valley of the Three Springs. Turn 5 takes the name of Mogyoród, where the circuit is located. Turns 6 and 7 honor the Hungaroring Driving Center. Turns 8 and 9 are named " Buda/Pest " after the Hungarian capital. Turn 10 recognizes the Danube River. Finally, Turn 14 is dedicated to Ferenc Szisz, the Hungarian-born engineer who won the first Grand Prix in history in 1906.
