The possible disappearance from the 2027 championship
The relationship between the MotoGP World Championship and Hungary seemed to have been reborn in 2025, the year in which the project for its return to this country materialized with the first race on the Balaton circuit. In 1990 and 1992, the GPs were held on the Hungaroring track, home of the Formula 1 GPs, and the latter could seriously return to host MotoGP in the future, but not in the short term. For this reason, there is a strong risk that Hungary will not be included in next season’s calendar.
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Balaton: a never convincing GP
The first reason is linked to the sporting failure of Balaton. Located on the shores of the lake of the same name, the project was aimed at creating a tourist and recreational area, with the circuit intended to host the World Championship in the long term. However, at the end of the first edition, many criticisms had already arisen from the riders regarding the track layout, considered very insidious, especially in turn 1. In addition, Balaton did not have the hoped-for success even from a commercial point of view: in addition to being considered a small track lacking charm by fans, the facility attracted few spectators, who were also doubtful about its long-term permanence in the championship.
The possible return to the Hungaroring
The new objective seems to be to return to the origins, that is, to ‘say goodbye’ to Balaton to move to Budapest, and thus to the Hungaroring. However, in view of next season, the timelines for realizing this project are very tight, which is why the mission appears very arduous to complete successfully. In an interview with Speedweek.com, the first to acknowledge the desire to bring the World Championship back to the Hungaroring was Carlos Ezpeleta, MotoGP Sporting Director: “We are in contact with the competent authorities and, looking to the future, we see greater potential at the Hungaroring to host the Hungarian Grand Prix. In our discussions with the government, we are trying to understand the timelines for adapting the Hungaroring. At present, however, it seems a very arduous challenge, given that we are already close to defining the 2027 calendar. As I said, we are interested, but the situation forces us to think long-term. It will probably be very difficult for 2027”.
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The biggest difficulty in returning to the track immediately from 2027 is linked to the lack of homologation by MotoGP. In addition, there are the necessary investments, not yet approved by the State and amounting to approximately 10 million euros. However, should the government decide to unblock funds for the modernization of the circuit, negotiations for a GP in Budapest could resume, but the possibility of the Hungarian weekend exiting the next championship remains very high.
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