AUGUST 12, 1996
Hungary fighting for a race
HUNGARY does not want to lose its Grand Prix next year and is prepared to undertake major upgrading work to ensure that the race continues.
Hungary's mid-August date is popular with holidaying Germans and there was a vast crowd in Budapest last weekend, numbering around 150,000 people on race day. This date, however, is almost certain to go next year to the A1 Ring in Austria which is reported to have already signed a deal with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.
Ecclestone is happy to keep Hungary on the schedule but wants the race to switch to Portugal's slot in late September. The Hungarians are not happy with this but will probably agree.
They are, apparently, willing to agree to some of Ecclestone's other demands, including new access roads, more supporting races and a new media center.