Lewis Hamilton has openly expressed his conviction that his partnership with Ferrari could enable him to contend for an eighth world championship this season. The seven-time champion, now 41, finds himself second in the drivers' standings, trailing Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli by 45 points as the calendar approaches the Hungarian Grand Prix – the eleventh round of the twenty-two‑race schedule. This marks the first occasion since the contentious 2021 finale, where Max Verstappen edged him out, that Hamilton has re‑entered the championship hunt.
He admits he is relishing the return to genuine contention after a challenging debut year with the Scuderia. "It feels amazing," Hamilton said, reflecting on his progress in 2026. "When you compare where we were last season, the turnaround is remarkable." He praised the collective effort of the Ferrari team, noting the "curve and step" they have taken together.
Hamilton also emphasized his own contribution, acknowledging the hard work, personal adjustments, and strategic changes he has made to help the team reach its current position. "I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but there is still a mountain to climb in the second half of the season," he added, underscoring his heightened focus and belief that the squad can still fight for victories. Despite Antonelli’s impressive form, Hamilton cautioned that the Hungarian Grand Prix – the final event before the summer hiatus – should not be viewed as a make‑or‑break moment for his title aspirations. "We are still developing and pushing forward," he explained.
"I don’t see this race or the next as a decisive turning point. The real break point, if there is one, will emerge later as we continue to hammer down on development and refine our package." Hamilton highlighted that Ferrari has already secured two race wins and numerous podiums this season, positioning them close to Mercedes on the performance ladder. He believes the team is now capable of challenging the dominant German outfit more consistently, which he regards as a positive sign for the championship battle. The Hungaroring has sparked speculation that Ferrari could be a favorite due to the circuit’s technical layout, which features a high proportion of slow‑speed corners.
While Ferrari’s power unit historically lags behind Mercedes in outright horsepower, the track’s emphasis on handling and downforce could mitigate that disadvantage. Nonetheless, Hamilton remains cautious and refuses to take anything for granted, insisting that Mercedes remains the "car to beat". "I don’t want to make assumptions," he said.
"In the last couple of races we could have won if we had perfected the weekend. The car had the potential. At Spa we were more competitive than expected, but I missed something that weekend, and I won’t repeat that mistake here." He reaffirmed that Ferrari now possesses a machine capable of competing at the front, yet acknowledged Mercedes’ record of success makes them a formidable opponent. "Mercedes still has the car to beat, naturally, because they have won the most races and won’t be easy to overcome this weekend," Hamilton noted.
"But we have made subtle progress and hope to fight with them on Saturday." The upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix weekend is packed with support races and practice sessions. Thursday, July 23, will feature a drivers' press conference at 2 p.m., followed by the Paddock Uncut at 5 p.m.
Friday, July 24, begins with an F3 practice at 8:50 a.m., then an F2 practice at 10 a.m., and the first Hungarian GP practice at 12:30 p.m. (officially starting at 12 p.m.).
The day continues with F3 qualifying at 1:55 p.m., F2 qualifying at 3 p.m., and the second GP practice at 3:45 p.m., culminating in The F1 Show at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 25, opens with an F3 sprint at 9 a.m., followed by the third GP practice at 11:30 a.m.
(official start 11:15 a.m.), an F2 sprint at 1:10 p.m., and the build‑up to Hungarian GP qualifying at 2:15 p.m., with the actual qualifying session commencing at 3 p.m. The day ends with Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 26, the schedule includes the F3 feature race at 7:35 a.m., the Porsche Supercup at 9:05 a.m., the F2 feature race at 10:20 a.m., and the Grand Prix build‑up at 12:30 p.m. The Hungarian Grand Prix itself starts at 2 p.m., followed by the post‑race reaction at 4 p.m.
and Ted’s Notebook at 5 p.m. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Main Event.
Hamilton’s optimism, coupled with Ferrari’s incremental improvements, sets the stage for an intriguing showdown in Budapest. While the Scuderia aims to capitalize on the circuit’s characteristics, the ever‑present threat of Mercedes means the battle for points will be fierce. Fans can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, and the entire weekend will also be streamed via NOW, offering a flexible, contract‑free viewing option. The outcome of the Hungarian Grand Prix could shape the narrative for the remainder of the season, but Hamilton remains steadfast: the fight for the championship is far from over, and the pursuit of an eighth title continues with renewed vigor.