Lewis Hamilton has urged Ferrari to "come and fight for the win" at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, while McLaren team principal Andrea Stella predicts that the Scuderia will be "extremely competitive" on the tight, twisty circuit. The rivalry between Mercedes and Ferrari has been intense this season, with each side claiming two victories in the last four rounds, although Mercedes has generally held the advantage in raw pace throughout the year. At the Belgian round in Spa-Francorchamps, Kimi Antonelli demonstrated why he now leads the Drivers' Championship by 45 points over Hamilton and 50 points ahead of George Russell.
Antonelli displayed remarkable speed, even after a missed pit‑stop opportunity under a Virtual Safety Car, still managing to out‑finish Charles Leclerc on Sunday. Ferrari’s performance at Spa was closer than many had anticipated, a promising sign for the Hungaroring, a venue that rewards cornering ability more than outright straight‑line power. Stella told Sky Sports F1: "I think in Hungary, the Netherlands we will see Ferrari back to probably being the fastest car in the corners. Extremely competitive." He believes the circuit’s abundance of slow‑speed bends will play to Ferrari’s strengths, especially given their recent progress in aerodynamic efficiency.
Hamilton, who holds a record eight wins at the Hungaroring, has been hampered by five‑second penalties in the last two races, preventing him from challenging for victory since his triumph 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," Hamilton said, emphasizing his desire to return to the top step of the podium.
Ferrari have set the benchmark in cornering this season, but their power unit has lagged behind Mercedes and Red Bull. Recent updates have narrowed that gap, yet the last two circuits—Silverstone and Spa—favoured engines because of long, high‑speed sections. The Hungaroring, by contrast, is a down‑force‑heavy track where chassis performance, aerodynamic grip, and tyre management dominate. As Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok noted, "Energy deployment, or a lack of, will not be an issue, so the cars with the best chassis will be strong.
We could see a repeat of Barcelona, where Hamilton was victorious." Chandhok added that Ferrari have been trailing Mercedes overall, but Barcelona proved that the Italian team can produce an aerodynamic package capable of beating the Silver Arrows in the corners. "Ferrari will be very strong in Budapest. We saw in Barcelona the aerodynamic package and the cornering speeds of the Ferrari are very strong," he said.
Bernie Collins of Sky Sports F1 echoed this sentiment, pointing out that both Hungary and Zandvoort— the first race after the summer break—are circuits where straight‑line speed is less critical. "These are down‑force circuits where you are trying to get the most out of the car through those corners, and that will promote Ferrari," Collins explained. The expectations for Ferrari at the Hungarian Grand Prix are reminiscent of the optimism that surrounded the team before the Monaco race in June, where Antonelli turned pole position into a win. Charles Leclerc, however, cautioned against over‑confidence.
"It’s very difficult to predict the level of performance of every team. Before Monaco we felt we were under‑performing compared to expectations, so we need to be cautious," he said. Leclerc stressed the importance of maximizing the car’s package on each circuit and not letting expectations dictate strategy.
Since Monaco, Ferrari have introduced further upgrades that have improved their cornering performance. Team principal Frederic Vasseur remains measured in his outlook, acknowledging that all teams are constantly developing. "Everyone will bring upgrades and we don’t know the full picture of performance. Everybody is pushing," Vasseur said.
He highlighted the significance of tyre management, set‑up work, and track‑specific preparation, noting that each weekend essentially starts from scratch. Vasseur also reflected on the varying difficulty of circuits. While Silverstone and Spa present complex challenges, Monaco—another low‑speed, high‑down‑force venue—has proven difficult for Ferrari.
"We are not shining in Monaco, which means we have to continue to push, keep the same approach and never think it will be easy, because it is never easy," he added. The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend schedule is packed with action.
Thursday, July 23, features a drivers’ press conference at 2 pm followed by the Paddock Uncut at 5 pm. Friday, July 24, includes F3 practice at 8:50 am, F2 practice at 10 am, and the first Hungarian GP practice session beginning at 12:30 pm.
Later in the day, F3 qualifying starts at 1:55 pm, F2 qualifying at 3 pm, and the second GP practice at 3:45 pm, culminating in the F1 Show at 5 pm. Saturday, July 25, sees the F3 sprint at 9 am, the third GP practice at 11:30 am, the F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the crucial qualifying sessions: the GP qualifying build‑up at 2:15 pm and the Hungarian GP qualifying itself at 3 pm, followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 5 pm.
Sunday, July 26, the final day, begins with the F3 feature race at 7:35 am, the Porsche Supercup at 9:05 am, and the F2 feature race at 10:20 am. The main event, the Hungarian Grand Prix, kicks off at 12:30 pm, with the race itself starting at 2 pm. Post‑race analysis, including the Chequered Flag reaction and Ted’s Notebook, will be broadcast at 4 pm and 5 pm respectively.
All sessions will be streamed live on Sky Sports F1, with the option to watch via NOW without a contract and the ability to cancel at any time. Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, videos, features, and analysis.
In summary, the Hungaroring presents a unique opportunity for Ferrari to leverage its cornering prowess against Mercedes, while Hamilton aims to overcome recent penalties and reclaim his dominance at a circuit where he has historically excelled. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the championship battle between Hamilton and Antonelli, making the weekend a must‑watch for Formula 1 enthusiasts.