Lewis Hamilton has publicly expressed his confidence that Ferrari possesses the capability to help him contend for an eighth world championship this season. At the moment, Hamilton sits 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 season.
This marks the first occasion since the contentious 2021 finale, where Max Verstappen edged him out, that Hamilton finds himself genuinely in the mix for the title. The 41‑year‑old veteran admits he relishes being back in the hunt after a challenging inaugural year with Ferrari.
"It feels amazing," Hamilton said, reflecting on his 2026 campaign, which has already shown signs of resurgence. "When you compare where we were last season at this very circuit, the contrast is striking." He went on to praise the collective effort of the Scuderia, noting, "I’m incredibly proud of the team for the progress we’ve made together. Of course, I also have to acknowledge the hard work I’ve put in, the changes I’ve embraced, and the personal improvements that have helped us get to this point.
I’m proud of what I’ve achieved as well." Hamilton cautioned that the second half of the season still presents a steep climb. "There’s a lot of work ahead and a mountain to climb, but I’m more focused than ever and I truly believe we can fight for the championship," he added. Despite Antonelli’s impressive form, Hamilton is careful not to label the Hungarian Grand Prix – the final race before the summer break – as a decisive turning point in his title bid. "We continue to develop the car and push forward," he explained.
"There’s still a long way to go. I don’t see this race or the next one as a make‑or‑break moment. I’m not sure when a break point might arrive, if it ever does." He emphasized the need for relentless development: "This is the time to keep hammering away, double‑down on our upgrades, and maintain pressure. We’ve already secured two wins as a team and collected numerous podiums.
We’re right on Mercedes’ tail and now have the consistency to challenge them for victories, which is a positive sign." Ferrari has been tipped by some pundits as a potential favorite at the Hungaroring, given the circuit’s emphasis on low‑speed corners, which could mitigate the current deficit of the Ferrari power unit compared with Mercedes. The Budapest track features a high proportion of slow‑speed bends, theoretically reducing the impact of raw horsepower and favouring chassis balance – an area where Ferrari hopes to excel. Nevertheless, Hamilton remains cautious and refuses to take anything for granted, reiterating that Mercedes still represents the benchmark. "I don’t want to make assumptions," he said.
"In the last couple of races we should have taken the wins if we had executed perfectly. The car was capable of winning." He reflected on the performance at Spa, noting that the team was more competitive than expected, yet he missed crucial opportunities. "I missed something that weekend, and I don’t want to repeat that mistake in Hungary," Hamilton warned. "We have a car that can compete," he affirmed.
"Mercedes naturally remains the car to beat – they’ve won the most races and won’t be easy to overcome this weekend. But we have made subtle progress and hope to battle them on the track." The weekend schedule is packed with support series and F1 sessions.
On Thursday, July 23, the drivers’ press conference starts at 2 p.m., followed by the Paddock Uncut at 5 p.m. Friday, July 24, features F3 practice at 8:50 a.m., F2 practice at 10 a.m., and the first Hungarian GP practice session at 12:30 p.m., with F3 qualifying at 1:55 p.m., F2 qualifying at 3 p.m., and the second GP practice at 4 p.m., culminating in the F1 Show at 5:15 p.m.
Saturday, July 25, includes the F3 sprint at 9 a.m., the third GP practice at 11:30 a.m., the F2 sprint at 1:10 p.m., and the GP qualifying build‑up at 2:15 p.m., leading to the official Hungarian GP qualifying at 3 p.m. The day ends with Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 26, the final day of the weekend, begins with 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 build‑up to the Grand Prix 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 streaming available via NOW without a contract and cancellable at any time. In summary, Hamilton’s message to his rivals is clear: while he respects the strength of Mercedes and acknowledges the challenges ahead, he believes the progress made at Ferrari this year positions him to fight seriously for the championship. The Hungarian Grand Prix will be a critical test of that belief, but Hamilton insists the real battle lies in sustained development and consistency throughout the remainder of the season.