The fact that the news came a few weeks after neighbouring Austria agreed on a deal to run its race until 2030 was perhaps not a coincidence, as both announcements reflect a growing trend for circuits to secure long-term futures.
One of the first was for Montreal, whose deal to run to 2029 was signed in 2017, early in Liberty Media's ownership. The loss of two events to COVID has subsequently pushed that out to 2031. Shortly afterwards, Abu Dhabi signed a new contract that runs to 2030, and that was followed by Singapore going to 2028, Australia to 2035 and Bahrain to 2036.
"It's not talking about the advantage," the Italian tells Motorsport.com."It's talking about there is an incredible moment for all of us. And also the promoters recognise that. So it's the right moment to look for the longer term." We now have to wait to see who is next to sign a long extension. A random sampling of current contract end dates includes Silverstone and Suzuka in 2024, Monaco, Zandvoort and Mexico City in 2025, and Baku, Barcelona and Austin in 2026.
Montreal is a case in point – its extended deal was followed soon afterwards by the construction of much-needed pit buildings.Hungary is in a similar situation. The circuit has been promising for years to upgrade its ageing pit and paddock facilities, and with the public investment required, it would have made no sense to commit to that project if the race was lost within two or three years.
It may still feel like a recent addition to a schedule that includes venues with a century of racing history, but in fact, the race first arrived in 1986. By that, he means the new pit and paddock facilities and grandstands that the extended deal has helped to guarantee.Somehow the original 1986 pit complex has survived all these years. Ecclestone had a soft spot for the circuit, and much like Interlagos, it got away with sub-par facilities while other venues worldwide were forced to demolish and rebuild old structures.
"So over the last eight years, we started talking about how we can rebuild," says Gyulay."This is a lot of money, and not a football stadium on something, because we love football here in Hungary. But I think it's respect for F1, respect for the teams.