Lewis Hamilton has warned Ferrari that they need to "come and fight for the win" at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, while McLaren team principal Andrea Stella insists the Italian squad will be "extremely competitive" on the tight, twisty circuit. The rivalry between the two leading manufacturers has intensified this season, with each side claiming two victories in the last four rounds.
Although Mercedes has generally held a marginal edge in raw speed throughout the year, the balance of power could shift dramatically in Budapest, a venue that rewards handling and cornering ability over outright horsepower. Kimi Antonelli, who currently enjoys a 45‑point lead over Hamilton and sits 50 points ahead of George Russell in the drivers' standings, demonstrated impressive form at the Belgian round at Spa‑Francorchamps.
Despite being denied a pit stop under a Virtual Safety Car, Antonelli managed to out‑maneuver Charles Leclerc on Sunday, underscoring his growing confidence and the pace of the Ferrari package. The performance at Spa was closer than many analysts had expected, suggesting that the Hungaroring – a track with a high density of slow‑speed corners – could play into Ferrari’s strengths.
Stella told Sky Sports F1, "I think in Hungary, the Netherlands we will see Ferrari back to probably being the fastest car in the corners. Extremely competitive." His comments reflect a broader sentiment among pundits that the Hungarian circuit, with its emphasis on downforce and chassis balance, may diminish Mercedes' advantage in straight‑line power. Hamilton, who boasts a record eight wins at the Hungaroring, has been hampered by five‑second penalties in the previous two races, preventing him from challenging for victory 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 bounce back. Ferrari’s recent development trajectory has been noteworthy. While the team’s power unit has lagged behind Mercedes and Red Bull in pure output, they have narrowed the gap considerably, especially in the high‑downforce sections of a circuit. The last two rounds – Silverstone and Spa – favored strong engine performance due to long straights, but the Hungaroring is fundamentally a chassis‑driven venue.
Energy deployment will be less of a differentiator; instead, the car that extracts the most aerodynamic grip and maintains stability through the myriad of bends will likely dominate. Former driver and Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok believes the Hungarian race could echo the dynamics of Barcelona, where Hamilton secured a win thanks to a superior chassis setup. "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 noted.
He added, "I think Ferrari will be very strong in Budapest. We saw in Barcelona the aerodynamic package and the cornering speeds of the Ferrari are very strong." Bernie Collins of Sky Sports F1 echoed this view, highlighting that both Hungary and Zandvoort – the first race after the summer break – are circuits where straight‑line speed is less critical.
"These are down‑force circuits where you are trying to get the most out of the car through those corners and that will promote Ferrari," he explained. The expectations for Ferrari are not new. Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix in June, the team entered the weekend with optimism, and Antonelli turned a pole position into a race win, reinforcing the notion that the Scuderia can deliver when the track suits its strengths. Charles Leclerc, reflecting on Monaco, cautioned against over‑confidence: "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 underperforming compared to what everybody thought we would, so I think we need to be cautious. 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 has introduced further upgrades aimed at enhancing cornering performance.
Team principal Frederic Vasseur stressed that while upgrades are being rolled out across the grid, the exact performance picture remains uncertain. "I think everybody will bring upgrades and we don't know the picture of the performance.
Everybody is pushing," he said. Vasseur also highlighted the importance of tyre management, set‑up precision, and adapting to each circuit’s unique layout. "If we do the same quality of work as this weekend, it will pay off, but it is not a given. Each weekend we are starting from scratch.
For sure on paper the layout like Silverstone and Spa are probably a bit more difficult than some others. But on the other hand, in Monaco, we are not shining. That means we have to continue to push, keep the same approach and never think that it will be easy, because it is never easy." The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend schedule is packed with support series and practice sessions, offering fans a full day of motorsport action. Thursday (July 23) features a 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 an F3 sprint, the second practice session for the Grand Prix, F2 sprint, and the crucial qualifying session at 3 pm, which determines the starting grid for the race.
Sunday (July 26) culminates with the F3 feature race, Porsche Supercup, F2 feature race, and the main event – the Hungarian Grand Prix – starting at 2 pm, followed by post‑race analysis and commentary. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract.
Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for real‑time updates, videos, and in‑depth analysis throughout the weekend. In summary, the Hungaroring presents a unique opportunity for Ferrari to capitalize on its aerodynamic and cornering prowess, potentially narrowing the gap to Mercedes and challenging Hamilton’s bid for the championship.
While Hamilton remains a formidable competitor with a historic record at the venue, recent penalties and the evolving performance balance mean that the race could be decided by the smallest margins in the twisty sections of the track. The stage is set for an intense showdown between two of Formula 1’s most storied teams, with the championship narrative hanging in the balance as the drivers line up for what promises to be a thrilling Hungarian Grand Prix.