Hungarian Grand Prix deal extended until 2016

The Hungarian Grand Prix has been extended until 2016, Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone and Local Governments Minister István Gyenesei announced on Sunday.

The royalties total $18.2 million this year and will rise by 10% every year. Gyenesei, who oversees sports matters, said Hungary had acted in a timely fashion, as the number of Formula One races in Europe might be reduced to five from the current ten.

This year's ticket sales reached a new record of Ft 2.7 billion, matching the royalty fee.

Heikki Kovalainen of Finland won his first Grand Prix race at the Mogyoród track yesterday after Spain's Felipe Massa's Ferrari broke down with three laps to go. Timo Glock of Germany came second in a Toyota and title holder Kimi Raikkonen of Finland was third in a Ferrari.

Kovalainen's McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton finished fifth, due to tyre troubles, but continues to lead the overall standings with 62 points, followed by Raikkonen with 57 points and Massa on 54.

• Email
• Save to My Caboodle