The journey to Hungary signifies not just the conclusion of a back-to-back racing weekend, but also the first segment of the season, as teams prepare for a mandatory two-week break in August. With this hiatus approaching, there remains a lot at stake in this weekend’s Budapest race.
Setting the Stage
Oscar Piastri comes to the site of his initial Formula 1 victory with a 16-point lead over McLaren teammate Lando Norris, after Piastri’s win at Spa-Francorchamps last Sunday.
This marked Piastri’s first triumph in four races, responding strongly to Norris who secured victories in Austria and Great Britain. While Piastri was competitive on both occasions, he saw his key title rival close the points gap significantly.
As this is the concluding race before the summer pause, its outcome carries a slight added weight that will linger until the end of August. This weekend in Hungary presents a crucial chance for the two McLaren drivers to approach the break with varied perspectives.
Should Piastri clinch another victory, he will extend his lead over Norris to at least 23 points—equating to nearly a full race win—gaining crucial momentum into the break. Conversely, if Norris pulls off a win, he could narrow the gap back to a maximum of nine points.
This title rivalry is poised for ups and downs as the season progresses, with the results from this race holding significance for a longer period than usual.
Hamilton and Ferrari’s Gains
Lewis Hamilton faced significant challenges during the Belgian Grand Prix, grappling with an upgraded Ferrari and experiencing early exits in qualifying sessions.
An incident during Sprint Qualifying was partially due to adjustments made on an upgraded component, while Hamilton’s laps were invalidated due to exceeding track limits in Q1, leading to his elimination.
However, he rebounded effectively during the race, executing impressive overtakes and timing his pit stop to rise from the pit lane to a seventh-place finish. Hamilton expressed optimism about the new Ferrari parts and their potential, showcasing signs of progress leading into the Budapest race weekend.
Antonelli’s Quest for Confidence
While Hamilton improved from his starting position at the pit lane, the same cannot be said for Mercedes replacement driver Kimi Antonelli.
Antonelli struggled throughout the weekend, getting knocked out early in qualifying and finishing 16th in the race, though he did secure the fastest lap. The 18-year-old noted a lack of confidence in his recent performances, particularly over the weekend.
However, he recognized improvements during the race, employing a higher-downforce wing and feeling a boost in confidence, despite some limitations in straight-line speed. Heading into the last race before the break, he aims to refine his qualifying performance to race closer to the front and better utilize his race pace.
Colapinto Pursues First Points with Alpine
The second driver at Alpine has faced challenges this season, with both Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto struggling to score points, both setting a best finish of 13th place.
Following a strong top-six performance in Silverstone, Gasly managed to place tenths in back-to-back races. Executive director Flavio Briatore is open to making changes as necessary, hinting that while Colapinto will keep his seat if he performs, there may be a reevaluation if results do not improve.
With the Alpine not ranking as one of the most competitive this season, Colapinto realizes he needs to consistently perform better to solidify his position. The Budapest circuit has been favorable for him in the past, having achieved podium finishes in his junior career, and a successful race could bolster his confidence heading into the summer break.
Hungaroring Upgrades
Viewers of last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix will notice significant upgrades at the circuit this year.
Although the track layout remains unchanged—continuing to test drivers as before—major improvements have been made to the pit straight, thanks to investments made over the past year.
Improvements include the demolition of the old pit building and grandstand, replaced by modern facilities that provide enhanced space for teams and organizers. A newly constructed grandstand offers excellent views of the action on the pit straight.
