Formula 1 is set to return to the iconic Hungaroring this weekend for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, the 11th round of the season and the final race before the championship pauses for its traditional summer break in August.
After an action-packed Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, the spotlight now shifts to Budapest, where teams and drivers will be aiming to finish the first half of the campaign on a high. The Hungarian Grand Prix has long been known for producing strategic battles and demanding races, with the tight and technical Hungaroring often described as one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar.
Mercedes arrives at the event in a commanding position, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli enjoying a 45-point advantage over teammate George Russell. Antonelli strengthened his title bid by claiming his sixth victory of the season in Belgium, extending his lead in the drivers’ standings and reinforcing his status as the favourite heading into the summer break.
The race weekend officially gets underway on Friday, July 24, with the opening practice session scheduled for 1:30 p.m. local time. Teams will return to the circuit later that day for the second practice session, beginning at 5:00 p.m., as they continue gathering valuable data and refining their car setups.
Action resumes on Saturday, July 25, with the third and final practice session taking place at 12:30 p.m. local time. Attention will then turn to qualifying, which starts at 4:00 p.m. local time and will determine the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
The main event takes place on Sunday, July 26, with the 70-lap Hungarian Grand Prix set to begin at 3:00 p.m. local time. As one of the most technical venues in Formula 1, overtaking opportunities are often limited at the Hungaroring, making qualifying performance and race strategy especially important.
For fans following the championship from different parts of the world, the official Formula 1 schedule has been adjusted to display times in local time zones, ensuring viewers can easily follow every session throughout the weekend.
With the championship battle intensifying and the summer break just around the corner, the Hungarian Grand Prix promises to be another pivotal weekend. Antonelli will be aiming to extend his impressive lead, while Russell and the rest of the grid will be looking to close the gap before Formula 1 heads into its mid-season pause.
