Antonelli leads F1 into Hungarian GP before summer break
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Kimi Antonelli enters the Hungarian Grand Prix leading the Drivers' Championship by 45 points over Lewis Hamilton and 50 over George Russell, after winning last time out in Belgium.
- George Russell retired from the Belgian GP after tangling with Hamilton on the opening lap, leaving Mercedes' title defense dented heading into the last race before F1's four-week summer break.
- Ferrari duo Hamilton and Charles Leclerc could be competitive at the twisty Hungaroring, which favors cars with strong mechanical grip through its many slow corners.
- McLaren are bringing a major upgrade package to Budapest, seeking a third consecutive 1-2 at the circuit after dominating the past two Hungarian GPs.
- The Hungarian GP runs July 23-26 at the Hungaroring, with qualifying Saturday at 3pm UK and the race Sunday at 2pm UK, all live on Sky Sports F1.
- The Hungaroring, on the F1 calendar since 1986, is dubbed "Monaco without the barriers" for its tight, twisty layout and notoriously difficult overtaking.
Why it matters: With Antonelli holding a 45-point championship lead entering the final race before F1's four-week summer break, his rivals have a closing window to close the gap. McLaren's major upgrade and Ferrari's circuit-suited characteristics create a real three-team fight, though the Hungaroring's overtaking-resistant layout means Saturday's qualifying will likely decide Sunday's outcome.
