Szijjarto, Todt discuss road safety, Hungaroring upgrades
Orbán meets head of international automobile federation
Orbán and Todt discussed further opportunities and plans for development in Hungarian motorsport together with Laszlo Palkovics, the government commissioner responsible for the sector.
Bertalan Havasi, the prime minister’s press chief, told MTI that the Hungaroring in Mogyorod, near Budapest, is one of F1’s oldest venues, having hosted F1 events every year since 1986, and an agreement signed last year means the event will return each year until at least 2027.
Orbán and Todt, who is also the UN’s special commissioner for traffic safety, also discussed Hungary’s efforts to reduce fatal road accidents.
The automotive sector, “the future of mobility” and battery production are seen in Hungary as potential economic “breakthrough points”, Havasi said, adding that motorsport is the hotbed of innovation in the sector.
Szijjarto, Todt discuss road safety, Hungaroring upgrades
In a Facebook post, Szijjarto announced that as part of a new partnership with the FIA, Hungary will donate 6,300 motorcycle helmets to Kenya with a view to reducing fatal motorcycle accidents there.
Hungary has also agreed to create the production capacities to manufacture one million helmets conforming to UN safety standards that can be worn in countries with high temperatures, Szijjarto said. Also, Hungary will this year contribute 30,000 US dollars to the UN’s road safety fund, he added.
As regards the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix, Szijjarto said the upgrade plans for the Hungaroring will be finalised within the coming months.
“We are proud that the Hungaroring has enjoyed an uninterrupted run on the Formula One calendar since the first race,” the minister said.
The 36th F1 Hungarian Grand Prix is being held at the Hungaroring this weekend.
