What we learned from MotoGP’s unusual Hungarian GP
by Rachit Thukral · AutosportMotoGP’s second visit to Balaton Park delivered plenty of intrigue, even if the racing itself wasn’t always a classic
Following the previous weekend’s trip to Mugello, MotoGP could have hardly found a more contrasting venue for the second race of the double-header. The tight and twisty Balaton Park was never going to be a rider favourite, especially given the safety concerns surrounding the venue, but ultimately, the Hungarian Grand Prix threw up plenty of surprises, with an opening lap pile-up upsetting the established order and producing several surprise finishers inside the top 10.
Here is everything we learned from MotoGP’s Hungarian GP.
Marc Marquez has rediscovered key strength and another full comeback is possible
Given Marquez’s tenacity and history of bouncing back from injuries, few would have bet against Marquez winning in MotoGP again. However, Marquez surprised even himself with how quickly he was able to return to the front, having undergone surgery just a month ago.
The Spaniard’s shoulder had taken such a beating that he was even losing time at left-hand corners in the early part of the season. It was perhaps no surprise that he looked like a shadow of his former self, even at tracks like Austin.
Make no mistake, Marquez is still lacking pure strength in his arm after surgery. But being able to dominate the opposition at the anti-clockwise Balaton Park would come as a huge confidence boost for the Spaniard. There were already positive signs in Italy, but he now knows that he is on the right path to recovery.
It may take him until after the summer break to gain full fitness, but he can start to believe that a full comeback from his Indonesia injury is possible.
At tracks like Sachsenring, it might even be impossible for anyone to beat him - much like in the past. But the jury is still out on how he will fare across a broader range of tracks.
Aprilia is still giving away too many points
Following its dominant start to the 2026 MotoGP season, Aprilia has now lost three of the last five grands prix. While it simply lacked the pace against Gresini’s Alex Marquez at Jerez, it also gave away likely podium finishes in both Barcelona and Balaton Park.
If the collision between Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez at the Catalan GP wasn’t bad enough, Aprilia endured another disastrous day as a start error by Martin wiped out three RS-GPs from Hungary.
Massimo Rivola was unusually critical of Martin in the wake of the accident, pointing the blame firmly at his rider for not being cautious at the tricky opening corner. Not only was the move overambitious, but there was genuine risk of someone getting hurt given the conditions.
Now, Aprilia is not only forced into enforcing rules of engagement between its riders, but it also has to rein in Martin’s aggression. With the threat of Ducati ever looming, Aprilia cannot afford its riders tripping into each other and giving away points. Building the fastest bike is only the first step towards finding a title, as the Noale factory is now finding out.
MotoGP’s Balaton Park adventure will be short-lived
MotoGP had planned to build a long-term home at Balaton Park after signing a 10-year agreement beginning in 2025. However, the company it signed the deal with was liquidated this year, prompting the operator of the Hungaroring to step in as the promoter.
While the 2026 race could be organised at short notice, MotoGP is unlikely to race at Balaton Park again.
Instead, the plan is to move the grand prix to Hungaroring in the future, following certain modifications for motorcycle racing. How long it will take for these changes to be made remains to be seen, but Argentina’s return on the 2026 calendar may leave no room for a third consecutive Hungarian GP.
MotoGP is making conclusive steps to improve safety - but could more be done?
It’s reassuring that MotoGP and FIM are pushing through changes to improve rider safety in the wake of Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco suffering injuries at the Catalan Grand Prix. Having already revealed a four-step plan during the official broadcast at Mugello, MotoGP made some key decisions over the Hungarian GP weekend.
Firstly, the gap between riders on the starting grid will be increased by three metres as early as next month’s German GP, pending the outcome of evaluation tests at Brno. Further, efforts are being made to outlaw holeshot devices from the British GP.
It was purely coincidence that these changes were announced at a track that has received criticism from some quarters for safety standards. While the race organisers increased the gravel trap at some corners following the inaugural event, there was consensus among riders that resurfacing work at Turn 1 had made things worse. This was put down by VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio as a misunderstanding between MotoGP and the promoters.
The jury is also out on the impact of banning ride-height devices. While riders like Jack Miller believe they contributed to Martin’s opening lap crash, a full analysis of the accident has yet to be conducted. While the riders would definitely be more cautious at the start, a ban could also impact the stability of the bike under braking.
World Superbike deserves more recognition
The World Superbike Championship has often been viewed as something of a refuge for riders who fail to establish themselves in MotoGP. Over the decades, some riders from WSBK did well to break those perceptions, but the overwhelming outlook about the series hadn’t changed much.
However, if the last 12 months have shown anything, it is that the cream of the WSBK field can turn up to MotoGP and race and perform as if they belong there. Nicolo Bulega’s debut outings at Portimao and Valencia last year were already a good indicator of how WSBK’s benchmark could perform in MotoGP, and it is no surprise Ducati is considering placing him at one of its satellite teams this year.
Likewise, three-time champion Toprak Razgatlioglu has impressed with his adaptation to MotoGP so far, especially considering the limitations of his machinery.
However, what really caught the eye was Iker Lecuona’s performance in the Hungarian GP. Granted, Lecuona is a former grand prix rider and spent two seasons with Tech3 in the early 2020s, but MotoGP machinery has changed significantly over the years, leaving him with little to no reference.
Arriving in Hungary on Friday on the back of a WSBK test on Michelin tyres, he gradually upped his pace every day, ending the weekend with a laudable seventh-place finish. He would have likely ended up outside the top 10 had there been no incident at the start, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that his average lap times were just three tenths slower than factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia.
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