We have back-to-back weekend action in F1, as this weekend the Hungarian Grand Prix will take place in the early hours of Monday morning here in New Zealand. As the season roars on after the summer break, teams are beginning to get a clearer picture of where they stand as the championship enters its downhill slope. The Hungarian Grand Prix provides an opportunity for teams to either build new momentum or continue the form they’ve found during the middle stretch of the season.
I hope you’re all as excited as I am, because the business end of the season is approaching, and there’s still plenty to fight for as things wind down.
Where We Sit After Belgium?
The race in Belgium sparked plenty of conversation due to the slippery conditions, which often cause issues for both cars and drivers. However, all the drivers managed to finish the race, and in typical fashion, McLaren secured another 1–2 finish. They continue to pull away from the rest of the constructors in the championship, while their two drivers battle it out at the top of the standings, separated by just 16 points. Behind them, Max Verstappen sits third, 65 points off second, but still 28 points clear of George Russell in fourth.
Beyond that, the pack is more spread out. The main battle to watch is Charles Leclerc trying to chase down Russell, thanks to his consistent performances through the middle of the season. Outside of that, most of the standings look relatively settled, though there is still room for movement in the bottom half if certain drivers can continue to deliver strong results.
What To Expect In Hungary?
The F1 circuit returns to the Hungaroring, which will host the Grand Prix for a second straight season. Many expect a repeat of last year’s top two finishers, when Oscar Piastri took the win ahead of his teammate Lando Norris.
The track, located in Budapest, was designed and built in 1985 and hosted its first race during the 1986 season, with Ayrton Senna among the drivers on the grid for its debut. Often compared to a karting circuit, the Hungaroring shares similarities with Monaco due to its short straights and relentless cornering. Because of this, teams will likely need to prioritize downforce and agility over straight-line speed, which plays a larger role at other venues on the F1 calendar.
Looking at the long-range weather forecast, there’s a chance of rain during Saturday’s qualifying, but race day is expected to be clear with a pleasant 24 degrees. That should make for ideal racing conditions. How teams manage qualifying in the wet could be a deciding factor, as those who handle it well may be rewarded with prime starting positions for Sunday’s dry race.
I wanted to take a bit of a long shot to start off here, and that’s backing George Russell to finish on the podium. He has already secured five podiums this season, including a win, which is a solid return considering McLaren’s dominance. This being his first year as Mercedes’ number one driver, those results speak well of his performance.
What gives me confidence in Russell here is Mercedes’ historical strength at tracks that emphasize downforce. He has typically performed well in those conditions, and this season has been no different. In races where downforce and cornering have been key, whatever package Mercedes has put together for Russell has led to solid outcomes for both the team and their lead driver.
Ever since the highly anticipated rookie secured his first podium finish in Canada, Antonelli has struggled with form, recording two DNFs and a 16th-place finish in his most recent outing. This is a big race for the Italian, who needs to get back on track if he wants to keep impressing his bosses and the higher-ups at Mercedes.
That said, the same logic that applies to Russell should hold true for Antonelli. He is in a position to succeed this weekend, as Mercedes has consistently delivered one of the strongest downforce-focused race packages on the grid, even compared to McLaren. If Antonelli can apply himself and build some confidence on a circuit that should suit his car, a points finish is a realistic goal for Mercedes’ number two driver.
If you aren’t huge on Mercedes that’s fine because the boys in red are becoming more and more confident in their car with Charles Leclerc notching his 5th podium of the season and Lewis Hamilton becoming increasingly more dangerous for pushing other drivers the longer he’s been in his new car. I think the midseason form and continuing momentum these two drivers have picked up this season should provide Ferrari with a potential opportunity to collect two top-6 finishes this weekend in Hungary.
For this duo, the biggest concern will be whether Hamilton can break into the top six. However, I feel like the eight-time champion at this track should have a few tricks up his sleeve when it comes to potentially securing one of those top-six spots.