Hungarian Grand Prix 1996 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Jacques Villeneuve claimed his third victory of the season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, leading home Damon Hill in another Williams one-two finish that kept the championship battle alive heading into the final races. The Canadian controlled the race from the front at the tight and twisty Hungaroring, demonstrating his versatility across different circuit types and cutting Hill's championship lead to just 15 points.

Hill finished second after a solid drive, unable to find a way past Villeneuve on a circuit where overtaking was notoriously difficult. Jean Alesi completed the podium for Benetton in third place, continuing his remarkably consistent season with yet another top-three finish. Michael Schumacher could only manage fifth for Ferrari after struggling with car balance on the technical Hungarian circuit, while Mika Hakkinen finished fourth for McLaren. The Williams dominance continued unabated, with the FW18 proving superior to its rivals on every type of circuit.

Villeneuve's victory at the Hungaroring demonstrated his ability to win on slow, technical circuits as well as high-speed tracks like Silverstone and the Nurburgring. The Canadian's third win of the season reduced Hill's championship advantage to its lowest margin since the early races, injecting fresh drama into the title fight with four races remaining. Hill remained the favorite with his 15-point cushion, but Villeneuve's relentless pressure was forcing the Englishman to drive mistake-free races. The intra-team rivalry at Williams was reaching its peak, with both drivers knowing that the championship would likely be decided between them in the final races.