Hungarian Grand Prix 2026 kicks off before summer break

The Formula 1 season reaches its summer break following this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, with the championship battle poised for a potential shakeup at the twisty Hungaroring circuit. The event, the 11th round of the 2026 campaign, runs from July 24 to 26 in Budapest.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes arrives with a 45-point advantage after winning the previous race in Belgium. However, his teammate George Russell, who began the season as a title favorite, now sits 50 points behind Antonelli following a first-lap collision and retirement at Spa-Francorchamps. That incident promoted Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton into second place in the standings, five points ahead of Russell. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, holds the all-time record with eight victories at the Hungaroring and could equal his personal best of nine wins at a single circuit this weekend.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur expressed cautious optimism about his team's chances, noting the circuit's technical, flowing layout places less emphasis on engine power and straight-line speed, areas where Mercedes has held an advantage. He stressed, however, that success is not guaranteed and will require a...