Lewis Hamilton has warned Ferrari that they need to "come and fight for the win" at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, while McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes the Scuderia will be "extremely competitive" on the narrow, twisty circuit. The rivalry between the two leading manufacturers has intensified over the past four rounds, with each side securing two victories. Although Mercedes has generally held the edge in pure straight‑line speed throughout the season, the balance of power could shift in Budapest where cornering ability and aerodynamic efficiency are paramount. Kimi Antonelli, who currently sits 45 points ahead of Hamilton and 50 points clear of 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 managed to overtake Charles Leclerc on the final lap and claim a memorable win at Spa‑Francorchamps. That performance suggests Ferrari can extract maximum performance from their car when the track rewards high‑downforce layouts, a characteristic that bodes well for the Hungaroring, a venue famed for its abundance of slow to medium‑speed corners. Stella told Sky Sports F1: "I think in Hungary, and also in the Netherlands, we will see Ferrari back to being the fastest car in the corners. They are extremely competitive." His comments underline the belief that the upcoming race could see the Italian team challenge Mercedes on its own turf.
The Hungaroring does not feature long straights where engine power dominates; instead, it rewards a well‑balanced chassis, efficient aerodynamics, and precise tyre management. As a result, teams with superior cornering packages often gain an advantage. Hamilton, a record eight‑time winner at the Hungarian Grand Prix, has struggled to replicate that success this season. Two consecutive five‑second penalties have kept him off the podium since his victory at the Barcelona‑Catalunya race 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 in Budapest," Hamilton said, emphasizing his determination to bounce back. He added, "We have to come and fight for that win," reinforcing his intent to push the limits of the Mercedes package despite recent setbacks.
Ferrari's strength this year has been their cornering speed, while their power unit has lagged behind the hybrid giants Mercedes and Red Bull. However, the gap has narrowed after recent upgrades, and the team appears to have closed much of the deficit in straight‑line performance. The previous two circuits—Silverstone and Spa—favoured a strong engine due to their extensive high‑speed sections, but the Hungaroring is a downforce‑centric track where the chassis and aerodynamic efficiency are decisive.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok noted that energy deployment will be less of a factor, meaning the car with the best overall package should excel, potentially mirroring the outcome of the Barcelona race where Hamilton emerged victorious. "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 that the aerodynamic package and cornering speeds of the Ferrari were very strong." Bernie Collins of Sky Sports F1 added another perspective: "Hungary and Zandvoort—both after the summer break—are tracks where straight‑line performance is not heavily tested.
They are downforce circuits where you try to get the most out of the car through the corners, and that will promote Ferrari." The optimism surrounding Ferrari is not new. Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix in June, the team entered the weekend with high expectations, and Antonelli converted pole position into a race win, confirming the car's ability to dominate on twisty circuits.
Charles Leclerc, however, cautioned against over‑confidence: "It is very difficult to predict the level of performance of every team. Before Monaco we felt we were underperforming compared to expectations, so we need to be cautious. We just need to do our homework, like we do at every track.
Over the last two weekends we maximised our package, and that mentality should carry over to Budapest without getting distracted by expectations." Since Monaco, Ferrari has introduced further upgrades aimed at enhancing cornering grip and aerodynamic stability. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur stressed that while upgrades are coming from all teams, the overall performance picture remains fluid. "Everyone is bringing upgrades and we don't know the final performance balance.
Execution on tyre management, set‑up, and track layout is crucial. If we do the same quality of work as this weekend, it will pay off, but it is never guaranteed for any team.
Each weekend we start from scratch." Vasseur also highlighted the importance of adapting to each circuit's unique demands: "On paper, tracks like Silverstone and Spa are probably more challenging than others, but in Monaco we were not shining. That means we have to keep pushing, maintain the same approach, and never assume it will be easy, because it never is." The upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix schedule is packed with action across all categories.
Thursday, July 23, will feature the drivers' press conference at 2 pm, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 5 pm. Friday, July 24, includes F3 and F2 practice sessions, the first Hungarian GP practice at 12:30 pm, and the F1 Show at 5 pm. Saturday, July 25, sees the F3 sprint, the second and third practice sessions for F1, the F2 sprint, and the crucial qualifying session at 3 pm.
Finally, Sunday, July 26, will host the F3 feature race, Porsche Supercup, F2 feature race, and the Grand Prix itself, with the race starting at 2 pm and post‑race analysis later in the afternoon. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and viewers can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract. The Hungarian Grand Prix promises to be a decisive round in the championship battle, offering Ferrari a chance to showcase their cornering prowess and giving Hamilton an opportunity to reclaim his dominance at a circuit where he has historically thrived.
Whether the Italian team can convert their aerodynamic advantage into a race win, or whether Mercedes will leverage its power unit and driver experience to stay ahead, remains to be seen. What is clear is that Budapest will be a pivotal test of strategy, engineering, and driver skill as the title fight between Hamilton and Antonelli intensifies.