Kimi Antonelli returned to winning ways after winning the Belgian Grand Prix last time out, and the Mercedes wunderkind plans to start a new winning streak when the Hungarian Grand Prix is next on the Formula 1 calendar at Budapest this Sunday.
The 19-year-old Italian international ended his three-race drought for his sixth win of the 2026 season. As a result, he became the first driver to breach the 200-point mark, and Antonelli has built a sizeable lead in the drivers’ championship. Behind Antonelli are Lewis Hamilton (159 points), George Russell (154 points), Charles Leclerc (126 points), and reigning champion Lando Norris (103 points) – all of whom have also breached the century mark.
On the other hand, Carlos Sainz Jr. is among those who are having a miserable campaign, and the Spaniard isn’t the only driver who has been subject to rumours about their futures.
Here are some of the top Hungarian Grand Prix 2026 updates, courtesy of SBOTOP.
Mixed fortunes for the Mercedes duo
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell have never been on the podium together since the Austrian Grand Prix, and such a trend continued last time out. After Russell finished second and Antonelli finished 15th in the British Grand Prix, the roles were reversed in Spa, with Antonelli on top and Russell suffering a DNF.
Antonelli had to earn his latest victory in Spa, as he briefly lost the lead from pole position on the exit of La Source to Max Verstappen. The Italian teenager had to reclaim the lead again after Charles Leclerc got ahead of Mercedes due to a Virtual Safety Car, but did so 10 laps from the end.
In stark contrast, Russell’s title hopes took another hit when the Briton was eliminated on the opening lap after a collision with former Silver Arrows teammate Lewis Hamilton – who was handed a five-second penalty for the incident. After the event, team principal Toto Wolff revealed that the W17’s power units suffered an issue. However, Russell is confident it has already been resolved.
While the drivers’ championship race is far from over, Russell hopes to be closer to his teammate in the standings by the time the customary Formula 1 summer break rolls around.
Sainz’s Williams future is in question
Carlos Sainz Jr. will probably use the summer break to begin discussions with team principal James Vowles to talk about his future with Williams, as he’s on an expiring contract.
The 31-year-old Spaniard joined Williams after losing his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton, as Sainz was convinced by Vowles’ long-term plan to return the Oxfordshire-based outfit to contention. His first season delivered two P3 finishes in Azerbaijan and Qatar, which already feels like a distant past.
An overweight FW48 and production delays have hampered Sainz this season. Williams have scored only 11 points from the opening 10 races, with Sainz responsible for six.
History
The Hungarian Grand Prix has been a happy hunting ground for Mercedes during Lewis Hamilton’s peak, up until Esteban Ocon surprisingly won it in 2021, and Red Bull and McLaren won the last four editions (two wins each).
As noted, Hamilton is the winningest driver in Hungaroring, and it’s not even close. The seven-time world champion has won this race eight times, and behind him are Michael Schumacher and the late Ayrton Senna, with four and three victories. Max Verstappen is the other active driver with at least two wins.
Claiming pole doesn’t guarantee a victory in Hungaroring, as no polesitter has won the actual race in the past five editions.
What are the odds?
McLaren may have won the last two editions, but the Hungarian Grand Prix 2026 odds expect their winning streak in Budapest to come to a halt this weekend. At 7.00, the Papayas are predicted to be the fourth-best team on the track on Sunday, with Red Bull (6.50), Ferrari (2.60), and Mercedes (1.90) above them.
Kimi Antonelli is the favourite to claim pole and win the actual race at 2.60 and 2.50, respectively. He is followed by Lewis Hamilton (4.00 and 4.50), Charles Leclerc (4.20 and 5.50), George Russell (7.00 both), and Max Verstappen (8.50 and 10.00) – who are seen as the other podium challengers. Rounding out the Top 10 on Sunday are Lando Norris (10.00), Oscar Piastri (21.00), Isack Hadjar (101.00), Fernando Alonso (301.00), and Nico Hulkenberg (451.00). As for Carlos Sainz Jr., he’s quite a long shot to win at 501.00, while his Williams are touted to be the third-worst team in the paddock at 251.00.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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