Piastri, Alonso, Ocon... Hungary, land of first(s)

In 38 years of uninterrupted presence on the calendar, the Hungarian Grand Prix has built up a bit of a reputation: that of seeing certain drivers achieve their first success in Formula 1.

Published 22/07/2024 à 16:39

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Piastri, Alonso, Ocon… Hungary, land of first(s)

1993 – Damon Hill

The Hungarian GP was, in 1986, the first meeting held east of the “Iron Curtain” during the era of the Cold War and the Soviet bloc. It would be necessary to wait for the 1993 edition to see the first driver to win for the first time in F1 on the Hungaroring: Damon Hill, already 33 years old, wins his first Grand Prix aboard the Williams FW15C masterfully, leading all laps and finishing more than a minute ahead of second place, Riccardo Patrese. In this Grand Prix, only two drivers finished on the leader's lap.

2003 – Fernando Alonso

Ten years later, it is the turn of Fernando Alonso to achieve his first success in Formula 1, on Hungarian soil. For his second season in F1 – his first with Renault – the young Spanish diamond had already impressed a few months earlier, by taking pole position in Malaysia. On August 24, 2003, the day after his second pole position, the Bull of Asturias dominated the Grand Prix head and shoulders to win his first victory, paying himself the scalp of Michael Schumacher, relegated to one round. Just that…

2006 – Jenson Button

This same Fernando Alonso would be more unfortunate three years later, for the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix. In changing conditions, the Spaniard – who started 15th – was the victim of a loose nut on his Renault while he was heading back towards the head of the race. A godsend for Jenson Button, then leader despite a 14th place on the starting grid. The Briton, majestic in the rain, will achieve his first success in Formula 1 with Honda, six years and 113 starts after his debut in the discipline. The end of a (very) long wait.

2008 – Heikki Kovalainen

In 2008, while everyone was waiting for a new episode in the Felipe Massa duel – Lewis Hamilton, it is Heikki Kovalainen who will do well to seek his first Grand Prix victory. A success acquired largely thanks to the Brazilian's engine failure three laps from the finish, despite being dominant throughout the Grand Prix. This will be the Finnish driver's only victory in Formula 1.

2021 – Esteban Ocon

The 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix remains one of the craziest races of the last decade. Taking advantage of a “strike” of Valtteri Bottas at the first turn, on a wet track, Esteban Ocon gained many positions to find himself 2nd at the time of the red flag.

The sun piercing the clouds above the Hungaroring and drying the track, all the drivers decided to go through the pits at the time of the 2nd start to put on slicks... except the leader, Lewis Hamilton. A strategic error which once again benefits the Norman: at the head of the Grand Prix, the driver Alpine resists the pressure put by Sebastian Vettel to achieve his first – and for the moment only – success in Formula 1.

2024 – Oscar Piastri

After Esteban Ocon in 2021, it's another driver from the house Alpine, well rather an old one, who won his first victory in F1: Oscar piastri. Second in qualifying behind Lando Norris, the Australian got the better of his teammate, once again making a tricky start from pole position.

The pilot McLaren then led the entire first part of the race but his team trapped him somewhat by first stopping Lando Norris during the second pit-stop burst to protect themselves from Lewis Hamilton, indirectly undercutting him. A long game of communication followed and the man who won his first race in Miami last May ended up facing the facts, obeying his engineer so that Oscar Piastri won. The Aussie would have liked to win in a completely different context but one thing is certain, he deserved it!

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