Formula 1 is preparing to face its last race before the traditional summer break with the Hungarian Grand Prix, which will take place this weekend, just a week after the Belgium race.
This will be the eleventh test of the 2026 campaign and marks the midpoint of the season, after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia tests were canceled due to conflicts in the Middle East region.
With the season taking shape, there are more stories of interest in Budapest, where teams are preparing for the last Grand Prix before the meeting in Zandvoort at the end of August.
Here are five key aspects to observe at the Hungaroring Circuit.
Is Russell’s return possible?
George Russell, driver of Mercedes, has had a 2026 season marked by ups and downs. After a promising start with the victory in Melbourne and a sprint success in Shanghai, several setbacks have complicated his title race against his teammate, Kimi Antonelli.
The latter has won five consecutive races, establishing a gap of 68 points. Despite everything, Russell has managed to cut this difference in the last races, with standout performances in Barcelona and Silverstone, plus a victory in Austria.
After a disappointing Spa GP, where he finished fourth and had an incident with Lewis Hamilton, Russell now stands 50 points behind Antonelli. Russell’s title hopes seem compromised, but the competition remains alive.
Good omen for Ferrari
Mercedes has dominated the competition so far, winning all poles in the ten races held. However, Ferrari has proven to be the main competitor with two victories under its belt, thanks to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
As the Hungaroring is a circuit with slow to medium corners, the limitations in top speed that Ferrari has faced can be minimized. This track has sometimes been compared to ‘Monaco without walls’ and offers an opportunity for Ferrari to fight for pole position, a goal it seeks to achieve for its first win of the season.
A more conventional weekend after Spa and Silverstone?
The last two race weekends have been complicated, with drivers experiencing power unit issues at demanding circuits. In Budapest, however, a different challenge is expected as the circuit is much more generous with energy, allowing for more normalized competition.
This change in dynamics may benefit both Ferrari and Red Bull, as electrical limitations will not be as relevant and more emphasis will be placed on chassis performance.
A crucial weekend for Aston Martin
Aston Martin faces a key weekend with its new ‘B-spec’ chassis to try to turn around the poor situation they find themselves in after a difficult start to the season. With arrival issues on the grid and concerning performances, the Hungarian circuit is a good opportunity to showcase improvements in performance.
Expectations are not overly high, but team leaders are optimistic about the impact these changes will have on their performances.
Start of the rumor season
The summer break in Formula 1 often marks the start of what is known as ‘silly season,’ when rumors of driver changes for the next season begin to circulate. Although no drastic movements are expected like in previous years, this edition could bring surprises, especially with Max Verstappen‘s future up for discussion.
Additionally, Fernando Alonso‘s future and Haas‘ decisions regarding Esteban Ocon‘s continuity are intensifying, with several potential options in sight.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
