Featured image credit: HUMDA
MotoGP is set to return to Hungary for the first time in over three decades, with a long-term deal agreed which will initially see the race held at the new Balaton Park Circuit.
The venue, near Lake Balaton in western Hungary, has been handed a provisional slot on the 2025 calendar, which has yet to be fully announced, of August 22-24. MotoGP first raced in Hungary in 1990 before returning for a second Hungarian GP in 1992 at the Hungaroring circuit near Budapest.
The Race said MotoGP’s commercial rights-holder, Dorna Sports, has signed a 10-year deal with Hungarian promoter HUMDA outlining that the first three events will definitely take place at Balaton Park. It has also been announced that fellow Dorna-promoted series, the Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), will race at Balaton Park on July 25-27 next year.
Balaton Park was last year named as a reserve circuit for the 2024 MotoGP season. It was also due to stage a debut WorldSBK race, only for this to eventually be cancelled. Balaton Park officially opened after a four-year construction process back in May 2023, with officials stating the venue was ready to host international events.
Located some 87km from the capital Budapest, the facility received over €200m (£167.9m/$223.2m) in investment. It claimed to be the first Central European circuit built to the Grade 1 standards required by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for over 15 years.
A ‘Balatonring’ development was previously proposed for the region. MotoGP had planned to return to Hungary in 2010 at this venue, but was forced to abandon this effort when the development of the circuit was affected by the global financial crisis in 2008 and ultimately abandoned.
Upgrades will be made to the Balaton Park circuit itself to prepare for the debut of MotoGP, while work will be undertaken on infrastructure and fan services ahead of next year’s maiden race.
Balázs Weingartner, chairman of HUMDA, said: “The hard work of many years is finally coming to fruition, thanks to which we have been included in the calendar of one of the most watched sports in the world.
“It is a testament to the strength of our country that, despite the difficulties, we are here today and can embark on this new path of shared success. Motorsport is about emotion and passion, but there is even more to it than that.
“We believe that these sports will promote the engineering knowledge and expertise of our country, the excellence of our riders, the touristic complexity of our country and, of course, the fantastic hospitality and support.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, added: “The circuit is in a spectacular location and will be a fantastic destination for fans to come and see the world’s most exciting sport in action.
“Work is underway to get the venue ready for its historic debut on the calendar, adding another chapter to Hungary’s history in motorcycle grand prix racing, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to a key market in central Europe.”
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