Budapest setup shift: McLaren and Ferrari return to maximum downforce configurations. F1 teams return to high-downforce setups at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The technical landscape changes dramatically for the Hungarian Grand Prix, as Formula 1 moves from the high-speed efficiency demands of Spa-Francorchamps to the high-downforce layout of the Hungaroring. In Budapest, teams revert to aerodynamic packages designed for maximum downforce, similar to those used earlier in the season at the Monaco Grand Prix. This includes high-downforce rear wings and beam wings, far removed from the low-drag setups optimized for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Cooling the power unit also becomes a key priority this weekend. Teams are opening up bodywork outlets and side gills to improve airflow and manage engine temperatures, particularly crucial on a tight, twisty track where lower speeds limit natural air intake. The Hungarian circuit, with its warm summer climate and relatively slow-speed corners, poses a significant cooling challenge.

This weekend will also be a crucial test for Scuderia Ferrari’s new rear suspension layout. The Hungaroring features numerous traction zones and medium-speed corners, providing a perfect environment to evaluate improvements in rear-end grip and tyre management. It presents an ideal opportunity for Ferrari to further analyze and refine their mechanical upgrades.

Wings for the Hungarian GP

At the Hungaroring, rear wings built for maximum aerodynamic load return across the grid. All the leading teams are bringing the same high-downforce rear wings they previously used at the Monaco Grand Prix. Ferrari, however, also has access to an intermediate specification initially deployed at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, giving them greater flexibility to adapt their setup.

Teams are also reinforcing the beam wings to increase overall downforce. A notable technical contrast is visible between the gull-wing-shaped beam wing geometry used by McLaren and the multi-element cascade design found on Ferrari’s SF-25. These variations are not only aerodynamic signatures of the respective teams but also have a direct impact on diffuser performance and the effectiveness of the floor.

McLaren’s MCL39, in particular, seems to benefit strongly from these aerodynamic configurations. The car’s floor and diffuser interaction are optimized under high downforce conditions, further enhancing its performance on twisty tracks like Budapest.

Managing Power Unit Temperatures in the Heat

While the increase in downforce boosts cornering grip, it also brings a cooling challenge. The relatively low average speed of the Hungaroring means that airflow through the car is limited. Combined with the often scorching summer temperatures in Budapest, teams must take extra steps to manage engine and component temperatures effectively.

All teams are expected to open up cooling gills on the sidepods and exhaust outlets at the rear of the car. However, the design and size of these openings vary between teams depending on their cooling philosophy and system efficiency. Once again, McLaren stands out in this area. The MCL39 has the most compact rear bodywork packaging on the grid, made possible by an impressively efficient cooling system—a strength repeatedly praised by team principal Andrea Stella throughout the season.

Ferrari’s Technical Test Bed

The Hungarian Grand Prix serves as a valuable proving ground for Scuderia Ferrari’s recent technical upgrades, particularly their new rear suspension system. The circuit’s layout, which emphasizes traction out of medium-speed corners and rear tyre management, will allow the Maranello-based team to gather meaningful data on how the new suspension performs under demanding load conditions.

Charles Leclerc had already expressed hope during the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps that the updated rear suspension would deliver noticeable gains in low-speed corners. Now, in Budapest, Ferrari will have three full free practice sessions to conduct back-to-back comparisons and tailor different run programs for Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. This will allow engineers to better understand how to extract the maximum performance from the new components, especially under conditions that closely mirror future races.

With multiple technical variables in play—from high-downforce aero to rear-end grip and cooling efficiency—the Hungarian Grand Prix is shaping up to be a critical weekend for both McLaren and Ferrari in terms of development and performance refinement.