 | |
.svg) Full Circuit (2023–present) | |
.svg) Motorcycle Circuit (2025) | |
| Location | Balatonfőkajár,Hungary |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°00′29″N18°11′56″E / 47.00806°N 18.19889°E /47.00806; 18.19889 |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| FIA Grade | 2 |
| Owner | Private Investment Group |
| Broke ground | 2013 |
| Opened | May 2023; 2 years ago (2023-05) |
| Architect | Ferenc Gulácsi[1] |
| Major events | Current: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Hungarian motorcycle Grand Prix (2025) World SBK (2025) TCR Eastern Europe (2024–2025) Former: 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) | |
| Length | 4.075 km (2.532 mi) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 1:37.699 ( Marc Márquez,Ducati Desmosedici GP25,2025,MotoGP) |
Balaton Park Circuit is a 4.115 km (2.557 mi)motor racing circuit located nearBalatonfőkajár, Hungary, 85 km (53 mi) southwest ofBudapest. The track is designed to host regional and international races. The circuit was opened in May 2023.[2]
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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 driverChanoch Nissany, with the circuit's secondary goal to be to act as a test circuit forNissan. 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-establishedHungaroring circuit.[2]
In September 2023, it was revealed that the circuit would be planned to be included in theSuperbike World Championship in 2024, and it would be also the reserve venue ofMotoGP World Championship in the same year before the return ofHungarian motorcycle Grand Prix toHungaroring in 2025.[4][5] On 26 October 2023, it was confirmed that the circuit will host its firstWorld SBK race on 23–25 August 2024.[6] However, on 7 June 2024, it was announced that theWorld SBK round at the circuit was replaced by the round atCircuito do Estoril due to the ongoing works at the circuit.[7] On 19 September 2024, it was announced that the circuit would host bothGrand Prix motorcycle racing andSuperbike 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.
On 22 June 2025, a number ofWorldSBK 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 wereHonda HRC duoIker Lecuona andXavi Vierge riding the standardCBR1000RR-R.[11]
In late June 2025, test riders from five MotoGP manufacturersHonda,Yamaha,KTM,Ducati, andAprilia 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 includedAugusto Fernández ofYamaha,Michele Pirro ofDucati,Pol Espargaró ofKTM,Stefan Bradl ofHonda, andLorenzo Savadori ofAprilia.[12]
In August 2025, sixDucati riders,Marc Márquez,Francesco Bagnaia,Alex Márquez,Fermin Aldeguer,Fabio Di Giannantonio, andFranco 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 riderMichele Pirro. This private test was conducted on the latest Ducati Panigale V4S motorcycle.[13]
The Balaton Park Circuit has been planned and constructed according to theFIA Grade 1 standards, initially obtaining a Grade 2 license. The track features Tecpro barriers and 'MyLaps' latest technology, including GPS, LED Panels and timing systems.[14]
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.[15]
As of September 2025, the fastest official race lap records at the Balaton Park Circuit are listed as: