Balaton Park Circuit
Motor racing circuit in Hungary
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Balaton Park Circuit is a 4.115 km (2.557 mi) motor racing circuit located near Balatonfőkajár, Hungary, 85 km (53 mi) southwest of Budapest. The track is designed to host regional and international races. The circuit was opened in May 2023.[2]
| |
.svg) Full Circuit (2023–present) | |
.svg) Motorcycle Circuit (2025) | |
| Location | Balatonfőkajár, Hungary |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°00′29″N 18°11′56″E |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| FIA Grade | 2 |
| Owner | Private Investment Group |
| Broke ground | 2013 |
| Opened | May 2023 |
| Architect | Ferenc Gulácsi[1] |
| Major events | Current: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix (2025–present) World SBK (2025–present) Former: TCR Eastern Europe (2024–2025) Ferrari Challenge Europe (2024) F4 CEZ (2023–2024) |
| Website | http://www.balatonparkcircuit.com/ |
| Full Circuit (2023–present) | |
| Length | 4.115 km (2.557 mi) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:34.466 ( Giacomo Altoè, Ferrari 296 Challenge, 2024, Ferrari Challenge) |
| Motorcycle Circuit (2025–present) | |
| Length | 4.075 km (2.532 mi) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 1:37.699 ( Marc Márquez, Ducati Desmosedici GP25, 2025, MotoGP) |
History
The main phase of construction for the Balaton Park started in 2019.[3] The racetrack is owned by a private group of investors led by former racecar driver Chanoch Nissany, with the circuit's secondary goal to be to act as a test circuit for Nissan. The project was financed using the investors' own equity, without any involvement from banks or external funding. The circuit is intended to be a modern addition to Hungary's motor racing scene, complementing the older and well-established Hungaroring circuit.[2]
In September 2023, it was revealed that the circuit would be planned to be included in the Superbike World Championship in 2024, and it would be also the reserve venue of MotoGP World Championship in the same year before the return of Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix to Hungaroring in 2025.[4][5] On 26 October 2023, it was confirmed that the circuit will host its first World SBK race on 23–25 August 2024.[6] However, on 7 June 2024, it was announced that the World SBK round at the circuit was replaced by the round at Circuito do Estoril due to the ongoing works at the circuit.[7] On 19 September 2024, it was announced that the circuit would host both Grand Prix motorcycle racing and Superbike World Championship next year, the former would be held in August 2025, the latter would held in July 2025.[8][9] For these motorcycle races, there were significant changes made for the circuit.[10] Turns 6 and 7, instead of a double apex turn, was converted to two doglegs with a straight connecting the two, a chicane replacing the Turn 11 dogleg, and a tight Turn 13 that connects to a tight right-handed Turn 14 and into a left-handed Turn 15 that ensures walls will be further from the circuit, in which the layout length would be changed as 4.075 km (2.532 mi) for the motorcycle races while the original Grand Prix layout was also retained.
World Superbike testing
On 22 June 2025, a number of World SBK riders arrived at Balaton Park to test the circuit ahead of its debut round in July. The Balaton Park test saw many WorldSBK riders get their first taste of the Hungarian circuit ahead of its debut on the calendar in July. Among those in attendance were Honda HRC duo Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge riding the standard CBR1000RR-R.[11]
MotoGP testing
In late June 2025, test riders from five MotoGP manufacturers Honda, Yamaha, KTM, Ducati, and Aprilia tested the Balaton Park Circuit. This year, the Hungarian GP was included in both the WSBK and MotoGP calendars, for the first time since 1992. The five test riders included Augusto Fernández of Yamaha, Michele Pirro of Ducati, Pol Espargaró of KTM, Stefan Bradl of Honda, and Lorenzo Savadori of Aprilia.[12]
Other testing
In August 2025, six Ducati riders, Marc Márquez, Francesco Bagnaia, Alex Márquez, Fermin Aldeguer, Fabio Di Giannantonio, and Franco Morbidelli, participated in a private test at the Balaton Park circuit on 5 August. This test was conducted in preparation for the Hungarian GP debut, which would be held on 22–24 August. The Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer also fielded Ducati test rider Michele Pirro. This private test was conducted on the latest Ducati Panigale V4S motorcycle.[13]
Design and facilities
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The Balaton Park Circuit has been planned and constructed according to the FIA Grade 1 standards, initially obtaining a Grade 2 license.[14] The track features Tecpro barriers and 'MyLaps' latest technology, including GPS, LED Panels and timing systems.[15]
The track has a length of 4.115 km (2.557 mi) and varies in width between 12–15 m (13–16 yd). It consists of 16 corners, with six right turns and ten left turns in its full layout. The circuit's facilities include 48 pit garages, VIP areas and lounges, media center, medical center, and two additional support paddock areas.[16]
Events
- Current
- May: Superbike World Championship, Supersport World Championship, FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship, FIM R3 bLU cRU World Cup
- June: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix, Moto4 Northern Cup
- Former
- Ferrari Challenge Europe (2024)
- Formula 4 CEZ Championship (2023–2024)
- GT Cup Series (2024–2025)
- Histo-Cup Austria (2024)
- MotoE World Championship
- Hungarian eRace (2025)
- Porsche Sprint Challenge Central Europe (2025)
- TCR Eastern Europe Touring Car Series (2024–2025)
- TCR European Endurance Touring Car Series (2024)
Lap records
As of September 2025, the fastest official race lap records at the Balaton Park Circuit are listed as: