Lewis Hamilton has openly expressed his conviction that Ferrari possesses the capability to help him contend for an eighth world title this season. Currently sitting second in the championship, Hamilton trails Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli by 45 points as the calendar heads into the Hungarian Grand Prix, the eleventh round of a planned twenty‑two‑race season. This marks the first occasion since the contentious 2021 finale, when Max Verstappen edged him out, that Hamilton finds himself genuinely in the hunt for the championship. The 41‑year‑old former seven‑time champion says he relishes being back in the mix and feels a renewed sense of purpose.
"It’s amazing," Hamilton remarked, reflecting on his 2026 campaign with Ferrari, which has already yielded impressive results after a challenging debut year with the Italian team. "It’s a great feeling, especially when you compare it to where we were last season at this very circuit." He praised the collective effort of the team, acknowledging his own hard work and the adjustments he has made to help the squad reach its current position. "I’m extremely proud of the team for the progress we’ve made together, and I also have to recognise my own contribution and the changes I’ve implemented to get us where we are now.
I’m proud of myself for that as well," he added. Hamilton cautioned that the second half of the season still presents a significant challenge. "There’s a lot of work left to do and a mountain to climb ahead of us, but I’m more focused than ever and I truly believe we can fight for the title," he said. Despite Antonelli’s impressive form, Hamilton insists that the Hungarian Grand Prix – the final race before the summer hiatus – is not a make‑or‑break moment for his title aspirations.
"We continue to develop 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 decisive turning point. I don’t know when a turning point might occur, if it ever does.
This is simply the time for us to keep hammering away, double‑down on development, and keep pushing." He highlighted the team’s achievements so far: two victories and a string of podium finishes that have placed them close behind Mercedes. "We’re right there on their tail and I think we can now compete with them more consistently for wins, which is a positive sign," Hamilton said. Ferrari has been tipped by some analysts as a potential favourite at the Hungaroring, given the circuit’s layout, which features many low‑speed corners that could mitigate the power deficit of the Ferrari engine compared with Mercedes. Nonetheless, Hamilton remains cautious and refuses to take anything for granted, emphasizing that Mercedes still appears to be the benchmark.
"I don’t want to make assumptions," he warned. "In the last couple of races we should have won if we had perfected the weekend. The car was capable of winning.
In Spa we were more competitive than we realised, and I missed an opportunity that weekend – that’s not what I want to repeat here." He continued, "We have a car that can compete. Naturally, Mercedes still has the car to beat, as they have the most wins and won’t be easy to overcome this weekend.
But we have made subtle progress and hope to challenge them on Saturday." The upcoming weekend’s schedule is packed with action. 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 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 subsequent qualifying sessions for the junior categories and the F1 show later in the afternoon. Saturday, July 25, sees the F3 sprint at 9 a.m., the third GP practice at 11:30 a.m., and the crucial F1 qualifying session at 3 p.m., accompanied by a pre‑qualifying build‑up and Ted’s Qualifying Notebook.
Sunday, July 26, will host the F3 feature race, Porsche Supercup, F2 feature race, and finally the Hungarian Grand Prix itself, with the race starting at 2 p.m., followed by post‑race analysis and commentary. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via the NOW platform, offering a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime option. Fans can also stay updated through Sky Sports on WhatsApp and other digital channels. Hamilton’s message to his rivals is clear: respect the competition, keep developing, and stay focused.
While the Hungarian Grand Prix may not be the decisive moment, it serves as another stepping stone in a marathon battle for the championship. The driver’s confidence in Ferrari’s potential, combined with his own determination, suggests that the fight for the title is far from over, and the second half of the season promises to deliver more drama, strategic battles, and possibly, a historic eighth crown for one of the sport’s greatest champions.