Formula 1 returns to the Hungaroring this weekend for the Hungarian Grand Prix and round 11 of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli claimed his sixth win of the season last time out at Spa-Francorchamps, winning from pole position to extend his lead in the F1 world championship to 45 points after Mercedes teammate George Russell crashed out on the opening lap.
Lewis Hamilton is now Antonelli’s closest contender but could only finish fourth on a disappointing weekend for the Briton in Belgium, but he has won seven times in Hungary. His Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, finished second with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in third.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris won last year’s race in Budapest ahead of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. It is the final race before the customary summer break.
Follow live updates from the Hungarian GP with The Independent
Constructor standings ahead of Hungarian GP
From a lead of more than 100 points, Mercedes are getting pegged back in the constructors’ championship:
1. Mercedes – 358 points
2. Ferrari – 285 points
3. McLaren – 195 points
4. Red Bull – 151 points
5. Alpine – 61 points
6. Racing Bulls – 61 points
7. Haas – 21 points
8. Williams – 11 points
9. Audi – 10 points
10. Aston Martin – 1 point
11. Cadillac – 0 points
Kieran Jackson25 July 2026 11:15
PREVIEW: Aston Martin in last-chance saloon to keep Fernando Alonso in Formula 1
They say seeing is believing. And seeing the leaderboard in qualifying last weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, specifically the initial phase, really did take some believing.
For a team whose underlying goal was to be a Formula One world championship contender in 2026, Aston Martin’s opening 10 races have been nothing short of a calamity. From “nerve damage” safety concerns at the season opener in Australia to countless power unit failures, Aston’s new partnership with Honda has been woeful. What’s more, they previously used Mercedes engines, by far and away the most powerful on the grid in the sport’s new electrical energy-focused era.
And in Q1 at the last race in Belgium, Aston drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were both more than two seconds slower than the next-slowest car, new team Cadillac, and more than four seconds off the frontrunners.
But this weekend, they have a big upgrade:
Farewell, Fernando? Torrid Aston Martin in last-chance saloon to keep Alonso
The two-time world champion is on the cusp of retirement but is holding out for one more Adrian Newey miracle carKieran Jackson25 July 2026 11:10
Antonelli has a 45-point lead
We know for sure that Antonelli will head into the summer break in front; but will he have an even bigger lead?
Here’s the top-10:
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 204 points
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 159 points
3. George Russell (Mercedes) – 154 points
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 126 points
5. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 103 points
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 92 points
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 91 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 60 points
9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 42 points
10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 39 points
Kieran Jackson25 July 2026 11:05
What are the start times this weekend in Budapest?
All times BST
Saturday 25 July
- Free practice 3: 11:30am
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 26 July
- Race: 2pm
Kieran Jackson25 July 2026 11:00
F1 Hungarian Grand Prix
Formula 1 returns to the Hungaroring this weekend for the Hungarian Grand Prix and round 11 of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli claimed his sixth win of the season last time out at Spa-Francorchamps, winning from pole position to extend his lead in the F1 world championship to 45 points after Mercedes teammate George Russell crashed out on the opening lap.
Lewis Hamilton is now Antonelli’s closest contender but could only finish fourth on a disappointing weekend for the Briton in Belgium, but he has won seven times in Hungary. His Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, finished second with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in third.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris won last year’s race in Budapest ahead of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. It is the final race before the customary summer break.
Kieran Jackson25 July 2026 10:57