Hungarian GP preview - facts and figures.

Round thirteen of the 2003 FIA Formula One World Championship takes place next weekend at the Hungaroring in Hungary. Here you can find out some relevant facts and figures...

1. Location:

The two towns of Buda and Pest skirt the right and left banks of the Danube and were united in 1872.

The Castle District of Pest, with its narrow streets and the riverbank area, have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buda is distinguished by its imposing, neo-classical buildings and parks. One of the city's hallmarks is the chain bridge that links the two.

Today, Budapest has a population of over two million, and boasts six universities and numerous museums. It is the cultural and commercial centre of Hungary and is home to an important trading port.

The Hungaroring is about a twenty-minute drive east of the city centre.

2. History:

The Hungarian Grand Prix has been on the Formula One calendar since 1986. This year will be the 18th Grand Prix Hungary has hosted.

In 1936, the Hungarian Grand Prix was held in a park on the outskirts of Budapest, Tazio Nuvolari, driving an Alfa Romeo, claimed victory.

Since 1986, the Hungaroring has been subjected to repeated modifications, including changes made for this year's Grand Prix. Last year, the circuit measured 3.975 kilometres, it has now been extended to 4.384 kilometres, the longest the Hungaroring has ever been.

Existing records have been inavlidated by the changes to the circuit.

3. Track length:

The 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix will cover 70 laps, totalling 306.873 kilometres.

The race starts on Sunday 24 August, at 14:00 hrs local time.

4. Last year:

Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello won in 2002 ahead of the Schumacher brothers Michael and Ralf. Kimi Raikkonen was next up, with David Coulthard and Giancarlo Fisichella completing the top six.

Barrichello also took pole with a lap time of 1 minute 13.333 seconds. Michael Schumacher meanwhile set the race lap record in 1m 16.207s.