The paddock in Budapest was active on Thursday as Formula 1 teams and drivers gathered for their final meeting before the summer break. The Hungaroring circuit is marking the 40th anniversary of the Hungarian Grand Prix, adding to the atmosphere.
Among the discussions, the intensifying battle between Mercedes and Ferrari was a prominent topic. While Mercedes has maintained a dominant position this year, Ferrari has consistently challenged them. Ferrari currently trails Mercedes by 73 points in the Teams’ standings.
Ferrari has demonstrated the pace to secure victories in the last two Grands Prix, with Charles Leclerc achieving a win at Silverstone. The tight and winding characteristics of the Hungaroring circuit are theoretically well-suited to Ferrari’s cars, and Leclerc previously secured pole position at this track last year.
Despite some suggestions that Mercedes remains the favorite for the upcoming race, there is a clear sentiment within the Italian team that they are strong contenders for top honors this weekend. Leclerc noted that, on paper, this race appears to be one where Ferrari could be more competitive than in the previous two events, where they finished first and second.
He also cautioned against overconfidence, recalling a previous experience in Monaco where expectations of strong performance did not materialize. Leclerc emphasized that with the current cars, nothing can be taken for granted.
Race Weekend Schedule
The Hungarian GP marks the 11th race of the 2026 F1 season. The schedule for the race weekend at the Hungaroring includes multiple practice sessions, qualifying, and the main race.
- Practice 1 is scheduled from 7:30-8:30 a.m. ET on July 24.
- Another Practice 1 session will run from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET on July 24.
- A third Practice 1 session is set for 6:30-7:30 a.m. ET on July 25.
- Qualifying will take place from 10-11 a.m. ET on July 25.
- The main Race is scheduled for 9 a.m. ET on July 26.
Fans have options to follow all the action from this race weekend without incurring direct costs.
Watching the Grand Prix
For F1 enthusiasts in the U.S., Prime Video can serve as a conduit for accessing the Hungarian GP. Apple TV holds exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for F1, and a seven-day free trial of Apple TV can be initiated through Prime Video Channels. This trial offers full streaming access to select races, including this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
After the initial seven-day trial, the subscription transitions to $12.99 per month, though auto-renewal can be canceled immediately to ensure free viewing of the entire race weekend. For individuals without an active Amazon Prime membership, a 30-day free trial for new users is available. Combining this Prime trial with the seven-day Apple TV channel trial allows for streaming the race without cost.
Other options for accessing Apple TV include a direct seven-day free trial for new standalone subscribers through Apple’s app. The Apple One tier, which bundles Apple TV with services like Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 50GB of iCloud storage, offers a one-month free trial, after which it costs $19.95 per month. Additionally, purchasing eligible new Apple hardware, such as an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV, can grant new subscribers three months of free service.
Beyond the team rivalries, the season continues to present compelling narratives. Mercedes is performing strongly at the top of the standings, but there have been reported issues between George Russell and his team. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli secured another victory at the Belgian GP, extending his lead over Lewis Hamilton, while Ferrari continues to reduce the points gap. The Hungarian Grand Prix is scheduled for July 26.
Source: formula1.com