Formula 1 heads to Budapest for the final race before the summer break, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli aiming to strengthen his position at the top of the standings. After a run of reliability issues with Mercedes reduced his lead, the teenage star bounced back in impressive fashion by dominating the Belgian Grand Prix, comfortably finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
His Mercedes team-mate George Russell endured a difficult weekend at Spa. The Briton qualified fourth but saw his race end almost immediately after colliding with Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap. The result left Russell 50 points behind Antonelli in the championship and five points adrift of Hamilton.
Russell will be under pressure to respond at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where the demanding Hungaroring could provide another fierce battle between Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. A second straight victory for Antonelli would further tighten his grip on the title race and pile more pressure on his closest challengers.
Away from the track, Red Bull continue to attract strong interest from drivers eager to secure a seat with the team as uncertainty remains over Max Verstappen’s long-term future. The reigning world champion has been linked with potential moves to Mercedes and McLaren, making him the central figure in the ongoing driver market speculation.
Although Verstappen’s contract reportedly includes an exit clause that could allow him to leave after this season, recent reports suggest he is now more likely to remain with Red Bull until at least 2028, despite his frustrations over the team’s competitiveness and Formula 1’s current regulations.
