Hungarian Grand Prix 1990 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Thierry Boutsen claimed a brilliant victory for Williams at the Hungaroring, capitalizing on a chaotic race that saw both championship contenders struggle in the intense Budapest heat. The Belgian drove a measured, tactical race on the tight and twisty circuit, managing his tires perfectly and avoiding the errors that caught out several of his rivals. Boutsen's win was Williams' second of the season and demonstrated the FW13B's versatility across different circuit types, particularly on tracks where mechanical grip was paramount.

Ayrton Senna could only manage second place after a difficult race that saw him drop back from the lead due to handling issues. The Brazilian's McLaren struggled with balance problems in the sweltering conditions, and he was fortunate to hold onto second place ahead of Nelson Piquet's charging Benetton. Piquet completed the podium in third, delivering valuable points for Benetton and demonstrating the three-time World Champion still had the speed and racecraft to challenge the frontrunners.

Alain Prost endured a disastrous afternoon, retiring early with engine failure that dealt a significant blow to his championship hopes. The Frenchman's retirement allowed Senna to extend his points advantage despite his own struggles, underlining the importance of reliability in the championship battle. The Hungarian Grand Prix proved that neither McLaren nor Ferrari had a monopoly on victory, with Williams emerging as occasional race winners when conditions favored their package.