HistoryData
general1990

1990 Hungarian Grand Prix — Formula One motor race held in 1990

August 12, 1990

Thierry Boutsen secured his third and final Formula One victory, while Senna extended his Drivers' Championship lead over Prost.

Quick Facts

Year
1990
Category
general

Key Facts

Race laps
77
Circuit length
3.97 km
Race distance
305.5 km
Winning margin
less than 0.3 seconds
Championship round
10th of 1990 season
Winner's car
Williams-Renault

By the Numbers

77
Race laps
3.97km
Circuit length
305.5km
Race distance
0.3
Winning margin

Location

Map of Budapest, HungaryMap of Budapest, HungaryBudapest, Hungary

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

The 1990 Formula One World Championship was in its tenth round, with Ayrton Senna leading Alain Prost in the Drivers' standings. Thierry Boutsen, a Belgian driver for Williams-Renault, lined up at the Hungaroring seeking a rare victory on a circuit known for difficulty in overtaking.

Event

Boutsen led the entire 77-lap race at the Hungaroring, winning by under 0.3 seconds from Senna's McLaren-Honda. Senna survived a collision with Alessandro Nannini's Benetton-Ford, while Nannini's teammate Nelson Piquet finished third. Boutsen's victory proved to be the last in his Formula One career.

Consequence

With Alain Prost failing to finish, Senna extended his lead in the Drivers' Championship. Boutsen's win remains, as of 2026, the last Formula One victory and podium finish for a driver competing under the Belgian flag, marking a notable milestone in Belgian motorsport history.

Result

Thierry Boutsen (Williams-Renault)
1st: Boutsen, 2nd: Senna (+0.288s), 3rd: Piquet
Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Honda)

at Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary

Last Formula One victory for a driver racing under the Belgian flag (as of 2026)

Timeline Context

Timeline around 199019901987198819891991199219931990–91 European Cup Winners' Cup — 1990–1991 edition of the European Cup Winners' Cup1990 FIBA World Championship — 1990 edition of the FIBA World Championship1990 FIFA World Cup — 14th FIFA World Cup, held in ItalyEurovision Song Contest 1990 — 35th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest1990 Formula One World Championship — sports season1990s — decade of the Gregorian calendar (1990–1999)1990 Asian Games — 11th edition of the Asian Games1990 African Cup of Nations — football tournament1990-hungarian-grand-prix-formula-one-motor-race-held-in-1-1990