Lewis Hamilton has warned that Ferrari must "come and fight for the win" at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, while McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes the Italian squad will be "extremely competitive" on the twisty Hungaroring. The rivalry between the two leading manufacturers has intensified after each side claimed two victories in the last four races, even though Mercedes has generally held a speed advantage for most of the season. Kimi Antonelli, who currently enjoys a 45‑point cushion over Hamilton and a 50‑point lead on George Russell in the drivers' standings, displayed blistering form at the Belgian round. Despite being denied a pit stop under a Virtual Safety Car, Antonelli still managed to out‑finish Charles Leclerc on Sunday, underscoring his and Ferrari’s growing momentum.
Ferrari’s performance at Spa‑Francorchamps was closer than many had expected, a promising sign for Budapest where the circuit is littered with tight corners that traditionally favour cars with superior aerodynamics and chassis balance. "I think in Hungary, the Netherlands we will see Ferrari back to probably being the fastest car in the corners there – extremely competitive," Stella told Sky Sports F1.
Hamilton, who holds a record eight wins at the Hungaroring, has not been able to translate his historic dominance into recent success. Five‑second penalties in the previous two races have kept him off the podium since his victory at the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix last month. "I'm hoping we can be competitive. I need to come correct this week and make sure I deliver the way I know I can deliver in Budapest," he said, emphasizing his desire to fight for the win.
The Hungaroring is a circuit where outright engine power matters less than the car’s ability to generate down‑force and maintain high cornering speeds. While the last two venues – Silverstone and Spa – rewarded strong power units because of long, flat‑out sections, Budapest rewards a well‑designed chassis and efficient energy deployment. As a result, teams with the best aerodynamic packages are expected to excel.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok noted that the race could mirror the Barcelona event, where Hamilton’s superior chassis helped him claim victory despite Mercedes’ power‑unit advantage. "Ferrari have been behind Mercedes if you look at the trend across the season, apart from Barcelona where I think Lewis Hamilton genuinely had the outright pace to beat Mercedes," Chandhok observed. "I think Ferrari will be very strong in Budapest. We saw in Barcelona the aerodynamic package and the cornering speeds of the Ferrari are very strong." Bernie Collins of Sky Sports added that both Hungary and the post‑summer‑break Zandvoort race are "down‑force circuits" where straight‑line speed is less critical.
"Those tracks promote Ferrari because they can extract the most out of the car through the corners," he explained. Ferrari’s recent history supports this view. At the Monaco Grand Prix in June, the team turned a pole position into a race win for Antonelli, demonstrating that when the car’s aero and mechanical grip are maximised, it can out‑perform even the most powerful rivals.
Charles Leclerc, reflecting on Monaco, admitted that predicting performance levels is difficult and that the team must stay humble. "We just need to do our homework, just like we do at every different track. What we did particularly well over these last two weekends was to really make sure that we maximised our package, and that's the mentality we should keep for Budapest, without thinking about expectations," he said. Since Monaco, Ferrari has introduced further upgrades aimed at sharpening its cornering ability.
Team principal Frederic Vasseur cautioned against complacency, noting that every team is constantly developing. "I think everybody will bring upgrades and we don't know the picture of the performance. Everybody is pushing," Vasseur explained.
He highlighted that success at a circuit like Hungary depends on tyre management, set‑up optimisation, and exploiting the track layout. "If we do the same quality of work as this weekend, it will pay off, but it is not a given for us or for the others. Each weekend we start from scratch," he added.
The schedule for the Hungarian Grand Prix is packed with support series and practice sessions, beginning with an F3 practice on Thursday and culminating in the F1 Grand Prix on Sunday. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW for viewers who prefer an online platform. In summary, the Hungaroring presents a unique opportunity for both Hamilton and Antonelli to shape the championship battle. While Mercedes will rely on its proven power‑unit advantage, Ferrari’s recent aerodynamic gains and cornering prowess could tilt the scales in their favour.
Hamilton’s determination to erase recent penalties and Antonelli’s sizable points lead set the stage for a thrilling contest. Fans can expect a race where chassis performance, tyre strategy, and driver skill will outweigh raw horsepower, potentially allowing Ferrari to close the gap on Mercedes and keep the title fight alive deep into the season.