The Hungarian GP – the final stage before the F1 summer break – provided plenty of spectacle on Sunday. After a strategic race at the Hungaroring, polesitter Lando Norris convincingly crowned himself the winner, although it was by no means an easy victory for the reigning world champion. The international media also praise Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli, who completed the podium. The latter is already being called ‘the undisputed master’ after eleven Grands Prix.
“Norris took the victory from pole position,” writes the Hungarian Formula.hu. “Although he needed some help from Carlos Sainz, after Piastri had actually been leading for a long time.” After his second pit stop, the Australian was the virtual race leader, but backmarker Sainz gave him no room. Due to a system error, he did not receive a blue flag notification on his steering wheel. “Verstappen kept up the pace well, while Antonelli once again managed to snatch a podium.”
Italian Master
Antonelli is particularly in the spotlight in his home country. “Formula 1 goes on holiday with an undisputed master,” judges La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Also in Hungary, on a circuit theoretically unfavorable for Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli shone. The prodigy from Bologna managed to completely turn around a race in which he started seventh after a qualifying penalty, and with a third place, further extended his lead over Lewis Hamilton in the standings – now 50 points. Even in his wildest dreams, he could not have imagined having such a lead halfway through the championship. With six wins and as many pole positions, he seems to be getting stronger, more mature, and more confident with each race.”
Max Verstappen, who was given little chance beforehand at the Hungaroring, is also highlighted in Italy. “Overtaking in Hungary is extremely difficult for almost everyone, except for Max Verstappen. The Dutchman surprised Lewis Hamilton with a spectacular braking maneuver in the first corner, thus regaining the position he had lost due to the pit stops. He seized that opportunity, as only he can. Verstappen finished the race with an extraordinary second place, despite a Red Bull that was not at the level of the competition. The strongest driver on the grid is still Super Max.” And race winner Lando Norris? “The world champion knows what winning is again,” says La Gazzetta. “Norris delivers a crucial victory for McLaren.”
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‘Super Max’
Meanwhile, L’Equipe wonders if ‘Super Max’ will still secure a victory in 2026. This second place might be the highest achievable for the Dutchman. “Max Verstappen has no victory to his name this season yet, but his second place on Sunday in Hungary tasted almost like a win,” conclude the French. “On Friday, he was already furious, and on Saturday, he added to that; after his spin in Q3, he called the car ‘undriveable’. However, thanks to his tire management and a brilliant overtaking maneuver on Lewis Hamilton, he managed to achieve his fourth podium of the season.”
Finally, the English The Guardian speaks of a ‘deserved’ victory for Norris. “Behind him, Antonelli once again put pressure on his title rivals by taking important points from an unexpected position,” the report states. “Moreover, teammate George Russell once again had to curse his bad luck – bad luck that seems to haunt him. Lewis Hamilton crossed the finish line in fourth, but ultimately finished behind Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc due to a five-second penalty. A shame, because Hamilton had fought hard throughout the race, including an exciting battle with Verstappen. The highlight was a brilliant overtaking maneuver by the Dutchman on the inside of turn one; that alone gave spectators their money’s worth.”
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