Lewis Hamilton has warned Ferrari that they must "come and fight for the win" at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, while McLaren team principal Andrea Stella predicts the Scuderia will be "extremely competitive" on the twisty Hungaroring circuit. Over the past four races the two leading manufacturers have each secured two victories, yet Mercedes has generally held the edge when it comes to outright speed throughout the season.
That advantage, however, could be neutralised in Hungary where cornering performance matters more than raw power. Kimi Antonelli, who currently enjoys a 45‑point lead over Hamilton and a 50‑point advantage over George Russell in the Drivers' Championship, 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 pace. Ferrari's showing at Spa‑Francorchamps was closer than many had expected, a sign that the Hungaroring – a track littered with tight bends and relatively short straights – could play into the Italian team’s strengths.
The circuit rewards aerodynamic efficiency and chassis balance, areas where Ferrari has shown marked improvement. "I think in Hungary, the Netherlands we will see Ferrari back to probably being the fastest car we see in the corners there.
Extremely competitive," Stella told Sky Sports F1, highlighting the expectation that the Italian side will excel in the twisty sections. Hamilton, who holds a record eight victories at the Hungarian Grand Prix, has been hampered by five‑second penalties in his last two races. Those penalties have kept him from challenging for the win 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 determination to overcome the setbacks and fight for a top result. Ferrari have set the benchmark for cornering speed this year, but their primary weakness remains the power unit. Recent upgrades have narrowed the gap to Mercedes and Red Bull, especially on circuits where engine power is less decisive.
The previous two venues – Silverstone and Spa‑Francorchamps – demanded strong power units because of their long, flat‑out sections. By contrast, the Hungaroring is largely a down‑force circuit where the quality of the chassis and aerodynamic package dominate.
Energy deployment will be less of a factor, meaning the car with the best overall package and the most efficient chassis will have the greatest advantage. Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok believes this could lead to a repeat of the Barcelona scenario, where Hamilton’s car was the strongest overall and he walked away with victory. "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 explained.
"I think Ferrari will be very strong [in Budapest]. We saw in Barcelona the aerodynamic package and the cornering speeds of the Ferrari is very strong." Bernie Collins of Sky Sports F1 added another perspective: "Hungary and Zandvoort (the first race after the summer break) are both tracks where the straight‑line performance is not tested on these cars, or any car at all. Those are down‑force circuits where you are trying to get the most out of the car through those corners and that will promote Ferrari." The sentiment mirrors the expectations that surrounded Ferrari ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix in June, where Antonelli turned a pole position into a race win. Charles Leclerc cautioned against over‑optimism, noting that performance predictions are notoriously difficult.
"I think it's very difficult to predict the level of performance of every team. I recall very well what the overall feeling was before Monaco, and we arrived in Monaco and were under‑performing compared to what everybody thought we would, so I think we need to be cautious," Leclerc said. "We just need to do our homework, just like we do at every different track.
I think 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." Since Monaco, Ferrari have introduced further upgrades that have sharpened their cornering ability. Team principal Frederic Vasseur, however, remains measured in his outlook, reminding everyone that development is a moving target. "I think everybody will bring upgrades and we don't know the picture of the performance. Everybody is pushing," Vasseur noted.
"You have a lot of performance in the execution on tyre management, tyre preparation, set‑up, and the layout of the track. I think if we do the same quality of work as this weekend, it will pay off, but it is not a given. It's not a given for us and not a given for the others. Each weekend we are starting from scratch." He added that while circuits like Silverstone and Spa are technically demanding, tracks such as Monaco – and by extension the Hungaroring – present a different set of challenges that require relentless focus and a willingness to push the car to its limits.
The schedule for the Hungarian weekend is packed, beginning with practice sessions on Friday, followed by qualifying and the race on Saturday and Sunday respectively. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with additional coverage available via NOW streaming. Key timings include: - Thursday, July 23 – Drivers' Press Conference at 2 pm, Paddock Uncut at 5 pm.
- Friday, July 24 – F3 Practice, F2 Practice, Hungarian GP Practice One (12:30 pm), F3 Qualifying, F2 Qualifying, Hungarian GP Practice Two (starts 4 pm), The F1 Show at 5 pm. - Saturday, July 25 – F3 Sprint, Hungarian GP Practice Three (starts 11:30 am), F2 Sprint, Hungarian GP Qualifying build‑up, HUNGARIAN GP QUALIFYING, Ted's Qualifying Notebook. - Sunday, July 26 – F3 Feature Race, Porsche Supercup, F2 Feature Race, Hungarian GP build‑up, THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX, Hungarian GP reaction, Ted's Notebook. All of these events will also be available on Sky Sports Main Event.
In summary, the Hungaroring offers a unique opportunity for Ferrari to leverage its superior cornering package against Mercedes' raw power advantage. Hamilton, aware of his recent penalties, is eager to prove he can still contend for victory on a track where his record is unrivalled. Antonelli, leading the championship, will look to consolidate his advantage, while the rest of the field hopes to capitalize on any missteps. The stage is set for a thrilling showdown in Budapest, where chassis balance, aerodynamic efficiency, and strategic execution will likely decide who walks away with the win.