Formula One has reached round 13 — the Hungarian Grand Prix, and what began out as another dominant Red Bull campaign at the start of the season has delivered some thrilling races since Miami, with surprise winners and the battle intensifying.
So far, the season has had six different winners and has seen a resurgence from Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton back to winning ways at the British Grand Prix. Meanwhile Ferrari, who were the challengers to Max Verstappen and Red Bull at the start, have found themselves with only one podium since Charles Leclerc’s Monaco Grand Prix win in May.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton has the most pole positions and wins at the Hungaroring, but of course Red Bull remain the team to beat.
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Circuit stats & history
The Hungaroring became the first venue to host a grand prix behind the Iron Curtain in 1986 and has since become a mainstay on the F1 calendar.
Often compared to a go-kart circuit due to its tight layout and lack of straights, the 2.7-mile track has only received minor changes, including a successful attempt to aid overtaking into Turn One in 2003.
Known for exciting and unusual races, it has been the scene of five maiden victories, including Damon Hill’s in 1993, Fernando Alonso’s in 2004 and Jenson Button’s in 2006.
Laps: 70 laps of 4.3km. Total distance 306km
Lap record: 1:16.627 – Hamilton (2020)
Most wins: Hamilton with eight (2007, 2009, 2012-2013, 2016, 2018-2020). Of other current drivers, Verstappen (2022, 2023), Fernando Alonso (2003), Daniel Ricciardo (2013) Esteban Ocon (2021) have all won here.
Most poles: That would be Hamilton again with nine (2007-2008, 2012-2013, 2015, 2018, 2020-2021, 2023). Of other current drivers, George Russell (2022), Verstappen (2019), Alonso (2003-2009) have been on pole here.
What happened last year?
In qualifying, Hamilton took his first pole position since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but the lead only lasted until the first corner as Verstappen swept by to claim P1 following a better start.
The Red Bull driver never looked back from that moment, securing the victory by over 30 seconds ahead of Norris’ McLaren in second place, Perez in third and Hamilton in fourth.
On the podium Norris accidentally smashed Verstappen’s trophy, getting too excited with a large bottle of champagne…
Who’s going to win?
The Hungaroring represents a return to slow and medium-speed corners, which may help Ferrari recover to a more competitive position. But on a circuit where Verstappen dominated last year, it’s hard to look past Red Bull being the favourite for victory.
How to watch the GP
Watch on ESPNEWS and ESPN+ (U.S. only).
Live broadcast coverage in the U.K. is on Sky Sports F1 and BBC Radio 5 Live.
For news, analysis and updates, follow the coverage with ESPN’s F1 team Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson in Budapest and on social media.
Friday
Free practice one – 12:30-13:30 BST
Free practice two – 16:00-17:00 BST.
Saturday
Free practice three – 11:30-12:30 BST
Qualifying – 15:00-16:00 BST.
Sunday
Race starts – 14:00 BST.
How the championships look
Verstappen continues to dominate the standings and shows no signs of stopping with a points gap of 84 to Norris in second. Although Mercedes have been more competitive recently, they are a whopping 60 points behind Norris, so both teams (and Ferrari) would need a string of successive wins to have any chance of closing that gap.
The constructors’ championship is close between McLaren and Ferrari, and both teams will need to prevent Red Bull from scoring high points to catch up.
Standings | Calendar | Teams