Alexandra Szentkirályi, the leader of the Fidesz-KDNP parliamentary group, took to social media to clarify just how valuable it is to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Hungary.
The Hungarian Grand Prix took place this past weekend just outside the capital of Budapest, with Alexandra Szentkirályi, the leader of the Fidesz-KDNP parliamentary group, telling those questioning the value of the event to just “look around the streets of Budapest.”
“This year, the racing circus returned to Hungary for the 40th time, and the anniversary race is accompanied by a renovated Hungaroring, which is praised by sports executives and perhaps the best racing drivers in the world,” Szentkirályi posted on her Facebook account.
“For days now, Budapest has been teeming with tourists dressed in various team jerseys. Many are not only interested in the race, but also in what we Hungarians are like. They can find out not only in restaurants and bars, but also in museums, in Liget Park, and in the winding streets of the castle district,” Szentkirályi wrote.
Hungary pulled off perhaps the world’s most spectacular motorsport infrastructure upgrade at the Hungaroring. @F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the entire F1 world is amazed by what happened here over the past 12–13 months. That’s how the 40th Grand Prix kicked off! pic.twitter.com/eHbcBaTJEs
— Péter Szijjártó (@FM_Szijjarto) August 3, 2025“Bringing a world championship to Hungary is not only an honor, but also a tangible benefit for our country. Let us be proud that Formula 1 will be racing here again this year,” she concluded her post.
The Fidesz politician also gave some figures, noting that in 2024, accommodations in Budapest saw 21 percent more guest nights during the race than the previous weekend. The same is expected this year, she added.
Earlier this summer, Hungaroring boasted the success of the event and the country’s investment in the infrastructure needed to host it. “The Hungarian Grand Prix is typically the most attended sporting event in Hungary. Last year, over 300,000 people visited the circuit, with around 80% of spectators arriving from abroad. The total GDP impact of hosting the event exceeds 26 billion forints,” it wrote.
On Sunday, McLaren took both top spots on the podium, with Lando Norris in first and Oscar Piastri in second. Mercedes’ George Russel took third, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc losing his podium spot to Russel in a dramatic pass during the 62nd lap, after a “dicey” battle between the two that resulted in Leclerc being hit with a penalty.
Figures released indicate that 300,000 attended this year’s event, a drop of 10,000 from last year.
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Hungary’s minister of defense and Alexandra Szentkirályi’s husband, was on hand to present the first-place prize (a Herendi porcelain trophy) to Norris, while Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó presented the second-place prize.
Hungary pulled off perhaps the world’s most spectacular motorsport infrastructure upgrade at the Hungaroring. @F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the entire F1 world is amazed by what happened here over the past 12–13 months. That’s how the 40th Grand Prix kicked off! pic.twitter.com/eHbcBaTJEs
— Péter Szijjártó (@FM_Szijjarto) August 3, 2025Szijjártó posted on X as to the importance of the event: “Hungary pulled off perhaps the world’s most spectacular motorsport infrastructure upgrade at the Hungaroring. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the entire F1 world is amazed by what happened here over the past 12–13 months.“
