Renault, Hungary and history

The company's first Grand Prix win came in 1906, with the Hungarian Ferenc Szisz at the wheel. Ever since, Budapest has smiled on the team. The first ever Grand Prix was held in France in 1906, and was won by a Renault. At the wheel was a ...

The company's first Grand Prix win came in 1906, with the Hungarian Ferenc Szisz at the wheel. Ever since, Budapest has smiled on the team.

The first ever Grand Prix was held in France in 1906, and was won by a Renault. At the wheel was a Hungarian, by the name of Ferenc Szisz. His name now adorns the press room at the Hungaroring.

Fernando Alonso, Flavio Briatore and Renault F1 team members celebrate.

Photo by LAT Photographic.

Many years later, in 1989, Budapest was the venue for Renault's first pole position as an engine manufacturer. At the wheel was Riccardo Patrese, in a Williams with the French atmospheric V10. It was Renault's first year back in the sport. The following season, Thierry Boutsen set the fastest time in qualifying in Hungary, and offered the team their only pole position of the year. The V10 from Viry-Ch?tillon would achieve the same performance in 1992, 1993 and 1995.

As for victories, Hungary is the fourth-most successful race for the Renault V10. The first win came in 1990. Two years later, the engine powered Nigel Mansell and Williams to the world title... in Budapest, where they finished second. More wins in Hungary followed in 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1997.

Fernando Alonso his simply renewed the love affair between Renault and the Hungaroring. He took his first win almost twenty years to the day after the last victory for a 100% Renault car in a Grand Prix: Alain Prost, in Austria, on August 14 1983.

History in the making...

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