A first pole for Lando Norris, an extra challenge for Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli, and especially question marks around Max Verstappen in Hungary. In several respects, Sunday promises to be a great final race before the summer break. The battle for victory in Budapest might just be the most exciting so far this year. These are the things you should pay attention to.
Read more Verstappen moves up to P4 due to penalties for Hamilton and Antonelli in Hungary
1. Norris, Ferrari or Antonelli after all?
There was a time, not so long ago, when Kimi Antonelli would have been the logical winner of a Grand Prix beforehand. Or else teammate George Russell, given the dominance and speed of Mercedes with these new cars. But the tide has turned, for example, Lando Norris has emerged. The reigning world champion secured his first pole position of the season on Saturday. Can he, after the sprint victory earlier this year in Miami, also claim his first GP victory of 2026?
That chance is very high; McLaren is doing well at the Hungaroring. But don’t rule out Ferrari: the Italians already showed speed on Friday and narrowly missed pole on Saturday in the persons of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The Englishman received a grid penalty and therefore faces a catch-up race from P5 if he wants to compete for victory. But that also applies to Antonelli, who also fell victim to a penalty and will therefore start from P7.
The fact that there are so many potential winners in different positions promises a huge battle for victory. And thus perhaps the most exciting GP of this season.
2. Overtaking at the Hungaroring
Mickey Mouse, boring, et cetera; not everyone is a fan of the Hungaroring. Unjustly so, because over the years there have been quite a few fun or at least memorable races. It would be too much to list them all here, but overtaking is certainly possible and a strategic battle can also take place in Hungary. The differences this weekend may be more minimal than on high-speed circuits, and the cars can drive closer together, thus offering more overtaking opportunities.
3. Question marks around Verstappen
New problems again, now in qualifying. So said Max Verstappen himself in Hungary after the session in which he finished sixth. The fact that he can start fourth due to penalties for Hamilton and Antonelli is a bonus. The question, however, is whether the problems (according to the team, aerodynamic in nature) can be traced and resolved before the race. So, question marks around Verstappen, even for him. However, a miracle will be needed to go into the summer break with a podium finish.
Read more Andrea Stella surprised by pole position: ‘Right direction’
4. Mercedes’ dilemma
What should you do if you are Mercedes? For example, go full attack with Antonelli to further strengthen the lead in the World Championship now that you see Ferrari and also McLaren getting closer? Or stay cool and calm and keep Antonelli in check to let him try to limit the damage. For the first time, Mercedes is suddenly not the favorite for victory on Sunday.
Moreover, the team has already experienced technical problems more than once this season. The big question is therefore which approach Mercedes will choose in Budapest: attack or be cautious and consolidate.
5. Finally: what can Aston Martin do?
The first Q2 of the season was indeed a fact in Saturday’s qualifying, the sixteen upgrades to Aston Martin’s car appropriately led to a sixteenth place. That in itself is not special, but it is when you see how the team with this new car has suddenly flown past Williams, Haas, and Cadillac.
That is a step forward, but the real test only comes during the race. On Friday, hardly any representative data was available on race pace. Only today will it become clear whether Aston Martin has actually taken a step towards the midfield or if the improvements are mainly visible over one fast lap.
And furthermore…
…a lap is 4381 meters long
…70 laps are scheduled
…the chance of a safety car is 13 percent
…a pit stop, including entry and exit, takes an average of 20.59 seconds
Read more Jealous looks at Williams after Aston Martin’s catch-up: ‘Dreaming of such upgrades’
Read everything about the Hungarian GP here
