Lewis Hamilton has admitted that he must "step it up" for the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix after a weekend at Spa-Francorchamps that left him frustrated and wary of repeating past mistakes. The seven‑time world champion confessed he "can't afford" another incident like the crash that disrupted his final practice session on Saturday, an accident that forced the Mercedes team to replace a host of components before qualifying could even begin.
At Spa, Hamilton managed to finish fourth on Sunday, but he believes that, without the practice crash, he could have been in contention for the win. The mishap not only cost him valuable track time but also forced the crew to scramble for parts, compromising the car's setup for the crucial qualifying and race phases. In contrast, his teammate Charles Leclerc of Ferrari qualified ahead of him for the second race in a row, taking advantage of a well‑timed Virtual Safety Car to gain track position and ultimately finishing just two seconds behind race winner Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the championship.
Ferrari's recent form has surprised many analysts, especially after they out‑performed Mercedes on high‑speed circuits such as Silverstone, where Leclerc claimed victory, and now at Spa. The Scuderia's strong showing has led pundits to predict that the Hungaroring, a circuit that rewards cornering grip and handling over outright top speed, could be a prime venue for the Italian team. Hamilton, aware of these dynamics, told Sky Sports F1 that he remains optimistic about gaining momentum as the season progresses, even though the weekend had been "a bit unfortunate" and the previous race at Silverstone had also presented challenges. "It's really great to see the performance that we are bringing and we are improving the car constantly," Hamilton said.
"I think we have more stuff coming in the pipeline to try and close that gap down. To be here and have that pace generally that we did as a team is really encouraging.
There's still a long, long way to go." He added that the recent setbacks have sharpened his focus: "Can't afford weekends like this in terms of my performance on Saturday, so I'm going to step it up in terms of focus level for next week." This renewed determination comes as Hamilton reclaimed second place in the Drivers' Championship, overtaking his former teammate George Russell after a collision on the opening lap that saw Russell spin out and earn a five‑second penalty. Hamilton now sits 45 points behind Antonelli, a gap he believes can be narrowed with consistent performance and strategic improvements. Historically, Hamilton has a remarkable record at the Hungaroring, having won the race eight times—a record that underscores his affinity for the circuit. The venue also witnessed his most recent Grand Prix pole position in 2023, further cementing his status as a formidable contender there.
However, the challenges of the 2026 car regulations have forced both drivers and engineers to adapt, and Hamilton is no exception. He acknowledges that while the car is showing progress, there is still work to be done to extract maximum performance on the twisty, technical layout of the Hungarian track. Across the paddock, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has also spoken about his own evolution.
After a difficult start to the season, struggling to adapt his driving style to the new generation of cars, Leclerc has begun to find a rhythm. He cautioned against labeling his recent results as a breakthrough, yet expressed satisfaction with the incremental gains he has made.
"I'm confident in saying that I made a step forward. Whether I'm at the level where I want to perform, not yet," Leclerc said. "There are still things in the car that I need to drive around.
I cannot drive completely naturally, and that is slowing me down in some parts of the race." Leclerc emphasized the importance of a "one‑race‑at‑a‑time" mindset, noting that the 2026 machinery is highly sensitive to minute changes. "With these cars, it's very difficult to be confident that if one race weekend goes well, the other one will, because it relies on such small details," he explained. This sentiment resonates with Hamilton, who also highlighted the unpredictable nature of the new regulations and the necessity for both drivers and engineers to remain adaptable. As the Formula 1 circus moves to Budapest, all eyes will be on how Hamilton translates his renewed focus into on‑track results.
The Hungarian Grand Prix promises a battle of wits and skill, especially as Ferrari appears poised to capitalize on its cornering strengths, while Mercedes aims to close the performance gap with strategic upgrades and driver determination. Fans can catch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available via NOW for those who prefer online viewing. In summary, Hamilton's self‑imposed call to "step it up" reflects both a personal resolve and a broader team effort to overcome recent setbacks. With a storied history at the Hungaroring and a clear objective to narrow the championship deficit, he will be looking to combine experience, improved car performance, and heightened focus to challenge the likes of Antonelli and Leclerc.
The upcoming race will not only test his ability to bounce back from Spa but also serve as a crucial indicator of how the Mercedes‑Hamilton partnership can adapt to the evolving technical landscape of Formula 1 in 2026.