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Hungarian GP: Tension Rises at Mercedes, Verstappen and Aston Martin
With the Hungarian Grand Prix on the horizon, Formula 1 approaches its mid-season mark, prompting mounting pressure and speculation across the paddock.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-23T13:41:19.000Z - 3 min read
The Formula 1 circus arrives at the Hungaroring this weekend, where the Hungarian Grand Prix serves as the symbolic halfway point of the season. Andrea Kimi Antonelli has built a substantial lead and sits firmly at the top of the standings. Whatever happens in Hungary, he will head into the summer break as championship leader, forcing his rivals into a recovery effort in the second half of the season.
For George Russell, the race in Hungary offers a chance at redemption. His aggressive move at Les Combes during the previous Grand Prix at Spa ended in disappointment, halting his recent momentum. Frustration over his car's lack of top speed was a clear factor in the failed maneuver. While the twisty Hungaroring puts less emphasis on straight lines, questions remain over whether Mercedes can currently provide its drivers with equal hardware, given the complex nature of the current power units.
Meanwhile, driver discontent over the 2026 power units is escalating rapidly. Recent races at iconic venues such as Silverstone and Spa painfully exposed their shortcomings; the cars looked tame and rarely pushed the boundaries of their grip, visibly hampered by a lack of power. Oscar Piastri, a driver who rarely comes forward with public criticism, summed up the state of Formula 1 racing in 2026 succinctly as 'rubbish'. The Hungaroring's characteristics might slightly disguise these flaws, but driver criticism continues to mount.
While the debate over engines rages on, Ferrari harbors hopes of success in Hungary. After the ultra-fast corners of Spa-Francorchamps, the Scuderia suspects that the Hungaroring, with its tighter layout, will better align with the strengths of the SF-26. The circuit also holds special significance for Lewis Hamilton, who has triumphed there no fewer than nine times and will undoubtedly be eyeing a tenth victory.
Max Verstappen's future also remains a hot topic. Although he recently firmly dismissed speculation about a potential move, the rumor mill surrounding his Red Bull contract remains active. Just like last year, whispers suggest he could break his agreement if he is not contending at the very top of the championship. Regardless of this weekend's result, he will enter the summer break no higher than fifth in the standings. A Verstappen exit would send shockwaves through the driver market, and while he rejects the suggestions, his rivals remain on high alert.
For Aston Martin, the Hungarian Grand Prix could mark the start of a fresh beginning. Tipped by many as one of the potential surprises of 2026, the team has endured an extremely disappointing season so far, primarily due to severe issues with the Honda power unit during the opening months. At Spa, the fastest Aston Martin was more than two seconds off the pace of the rest of the field. Now, with just one race left before the summer shutdown, the introduction of their first major upgrade is scheduled. Expectations are understandably high, but even an improvement of over a second would likely not be enough to get past Q1. The question remains how much progress Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll can realistically achieve this weekend.