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Verstappen 'Shocked' After Hungarian Race as McLaren Makes Huge Leap
The Red Bull driver appeared noticeably affected by the outcome of the race weekend, while a direct rival demonstrated significant improvement.
By Lesley Bakker - 2026-07-26T21:23:18.000Z - 2 min read
The race weekend in Hungary delivered an unexpected turn of events for the usually dominant Red Bull Racing. Driver Max Verstappen spoke afterwards of a shock after he and his team had to settle for second place. Such a result is highly unusual given their recent performances at the absolute front of the field and the expectations stemming from them.
The Dutchman's reaction highlighted the high expectations inside the Red Bull garage. Where victories recently seemed almost a given, second step on the podium in Budapest proved an unwelcome surprise. The sense of astonishment pointed to an unexpected development during the race or in the build-up to it that prevented them from fighting for the win.
This outcome potentially signals a shift in the competitive order on the grid, or at the very least an incidental hiccup for the reigning champions. A second place is a major success for many teams, but for Red Bull and Verstappen, accustomed to absolute hegemony, it feels like a missed opportunity. The team will undoubtedly analyze in depth what exactly led to this relative deficit in top speed or race pace.
At the same time, McLaren made remarkable progress during the same event at the Hungaroring. The Woking-based team executed a 'huge step' forward, making them visibly more competitive than before. Notably, this significant improvement coincided with Red Bull's surprising result, further emphasizing the shift.
McLaren's performance gain in Hungary could indicate that successful development paths are beginning to bear fruit. It enabled them to inject themselves firmly into the fight at the front, potentially even for victory. Such a leap at a crucial juncture in the season could alter the dynamics of the entire championship and forge new contenders.
These developments promise an exciting second half of the Formula 1 season. The competition appears to be closing the gap to dominant Red Bull, or at least posing a serious threat under specific conditions. Verstappen's 'shock' and McLaren's clear progress set a new tone for future battles across various circuits.
Teams will keep a sharp eye on data and rival performance in the coming period. What transpired in Hungary could be the prelude to a series of races in which tension and the battle for top positions intensify significantly. The podium once again proved to be a place where surprises are possible.