2026 Hungarian Grand Prix: Full Weekend Schedule and Start Times
The Formula 1 AWS Hungarian Grand Prix 2026 runs from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 26 July at the Hungaroring, Budapest. It is the 11th round of the 2026 season. The race starts at15:00 local time (CEST) / 14:00 UK time (BST) on Sunday 26 Julyand runs over 70 laps of the 4.381-kilometre circuit. Budapest is one hour ahead of the UK throughout the event, as Hungary is on CEST (UTC+2) and the UK is on BST (UTC+1).
Full 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix Weekend Schedule at a Glance
The 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix uses the traditional, non-Sprint format: two practice sessions on Friday, a third practice session and qualifying on Saturday, and the grand prix on Sunday. Support categories across the weekend are Formula 2, Formula 3 and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
Thursday 23 July
Gate 8 opens: 13:30 local / 12:30 BST
Fan Zone open: 13:30 to 20:00 local / 12:30 to 19:00 BST
High Speed Test: 14:00 local / 13:00 BST
Pit Lane Walk: approx. 16:15 to 19:00 local / 15:15 to 18:00 BST
Friday 24 July
Free Practice 1: 13:30 to 14:30 local / 12:30 to 13:30 BST
Free Practice 2: 17:00 to 18:00 local / 16:00 to 17:00 BST
Saturday 25 July
Free Practice 3: 12:30 to 13:30 local / 11:30 to 12:30 BST
Qualifying: 16:00 to 17:00 local / 15:00 to 16:00 BST
Sunday 26 July
Race (70 laps): 15:00 to approx. 17:00 local / 14:00 to approx. 16:00 BST
Thursday Fan Zone and Pit Lane Walk: What's Open and When
Thursday 23 July is more than just a travel day if you plan ahead. The Hungaroring Fan Zone opens at 13:30 local time and runs until 20:00, with organised activities from 14:00 to 19:30.
The High Speed Test, a demonstration of the safety car and medical car at speed, begins at 14:00 and can be watched from the HUNGARORING grandstand, accessed via Gate 8. Attending the High Speed Test requires both a 3-day weekend race ticket and a separate High Speed Test ticket. Each weekend pass entitles the holder to purchase one such ticket.
The Pit Lane Walk follows later, running from approximately 16:15 to 19:00. Per the official promoter, combined tickets for the Thursday Pit Lane Walk and High Speed Test are priced at €50 and went on sale on 16 June. A valid 3-day race ticket is required in addition to the pit lane ticket.
Not travelling with a full race ticket? A Thursday Fan Zone Extra pass costs €35 for adults and €10 for children under 15, and does not require an F1 race ticket. It covers Fan Zone access and the high-speed safety and medical car demonstration, as well as the chance to see support series and Hungarian drivers on stage, but does not include pit lane walk entry.
Friday Practice Sessions: Start Times and What to Watch For
Friday brings two one-hour practice sessions. Free Practice 1 gets under way at 13:30 local (12:30 BST), confirmed by both racingnews365.com and Forbes. There is a gap of two and a half hours before FP2, which runs from 17:00 to 18:00 local (16:00 to 17:00 BST).
The gap between the two sessions gives you time to explore the circuit, pick up food or get a different vantage point for the second hour. Formula 2 and Formula 3 also run across the Friday programme, so there is plenty of on-track action between the F1 sessions.
Saturday Qualifying: Start Time, Format and Grandstand Views
Saturday begins with Free Practice 3 at 12:30 local (11:30 BST), a one-hour session giving teams their final chance to set up the cars before grid positions are locked in.
Qualifying starts at 16:00 local (15:00 BST) and runs for one hour across the standard Q1, Q2, Q3 knockout format. The championship picture heading into the weekend adds extra significance: Kimi Antonelli leads the standings after winning in Belgium at the previous round. With Lewis Hamilton holding the all-time record at the Hungaroring with eight victories, Saturday's grid order will shape what promises to be a compelling Sunday.
Trackside Seats has a grandstand comparison tool on site if you are still deciding which seat gives the best view of the pit exit and main straight for qualifying laps.
Sunday Race Day: What Time Does the Hungarian Grand Prix Start?
The race starts at 15:00 local time (14:00 BST) on Sunday 26 July, with a scheduled finish window of around 17:00 local (16:00 BST). The grand prix runs 70 laps of the 4.381-kilometre Hungaroring.
Allow time before the 15:00 lights out for the pre-race grid ceremony and any support category finales. Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup also features across the race weekend, so the Sunday programme will be busy from mid-morning.
Getting to the Hungaroring: Recommended Arrival Times
A practical rule of thumb using the session times above:
- Thursday:Gate 8 opens at 13:30 local. If you have a High Speed Test ticket, aim to be through the gate before 14:00 when the demonstration starts.
- Friday:FP1 begins at 13:30 local. Arriving by 12:00 local (11:00 BST) gives you time to reach your grandstand and settle before the session.
- Saturday:FP3 kicks off at 12:30 local. Qualifying at 16:00 is the headline session, but arriving by 11:00 local (10:00 BST) avoids the mid-morning rush and lets you catch support category action.
- Sunday:Race day is the busiest. The 15:00 local start means crowds build from late morning. Plan to be at your seat well before 14:30 local (13:30 BST) at the latest.
Broadcast and Live Timing for Fans Inside the Circuit
If you want to follow lap times or team radio while in your grandstand seat, the official F1 app provides live timing and is available to use inside the circuit. Downloading it and logging in before you travel saves time at the venue. Large screens are positioned around the circuit to broadcast the world feed so you can follow the action across the whole track even from a fixed grandstand position.
FAQ
What time does Free Practice 1 start at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix?
Free Practice 1 starts at 13:30 local time (CEST) / 12:30 UK time (BST) on Friday 24 July 2026.
What time does Free Practice 2 start at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix?
Free Practice 2 starts at 17:00 local time (CEST) / 16:00 UK time (BST) on Friday 24 July 2026.
What time does the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix race start?
The race starts at 15:00 local time (CEST) / 14:00 UK time (BST) on Sunday 26 July 2026 and runs for 70 laps.
Is there a Thursday pit lane walk at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix?
Yes. The Thursday pit lane walk runs from approximately 16:15 to 19:00 local time on 23 July. Tickets for the combined Pit Lane Walk and High Speed Test cost €50 and require a valid 3-day race ticket in addition.
Can I attend the Hungaroring on Thursday without a full race ticket?
Yes. A Thursday Fan Zone Extra pass costs €35 for adults (€10 for under-15s) and does not require a 3-day F1 race ticket. It covers Fan Zone access and the high-speed safety and medical car demonstration, but not the pit lane walk.
What time does the Hungaroring Fan Zone open on Thursday?
The Fan Zone opens on Thursday 23 July at 13:30 local time and closes at 20:00. Fanzone activities run from 14:00 to 19:30.
