Charles Leclerc believes Mercedes remain the benchmark heading into Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying, even though the characteristics of the Hungaroring should suit Ferrari slightly better. The Ferrari driver expects Mercedes to be extremely difficult to beat over a single lap and insists that executing a faultless weekend will matter more than the SF-26’s theoretical suitability to the circuit.
Qualifying will be especially important at the tight Hungaroring, where overtaking opportunities are limited. Charles Leclerc has also warned that passing could become even more difficult on Sunday because the new overtake mode is not particularly effective at the Budapest circuit.
Charles Leclerc enters Hungarian GP in strongest form of the season
Charles Leclerc arrives at the Hungarian Grand Prix in his best form of the season. The Monegasque has collected 43 points across the last two rounds at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, putting behind him the difficult period that had fuelled criticism following his contract renewal with Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc capitalised on the opportunities presented during both races, but his results were primarily built on solid and consistent race pace. However, the decisive spark in qualifying may still be missing, at least compared with the performances Ferrari supporters have come to expect from him.
Saturday’s session will therefore be fundamental. Although the Hungaroring can conceal some of the limitations of Ferrari’s Maranello-built power unit, Charles Leclerc still believes Mercedes hold the advantage. His assessment also explains why Ferrari cannot simply assume that Hungary will favour the SF-26.
Execution matters more than the Ferrari car
“I think these last few weekends have definitely been down to execution,” Charles Leclerc said in Hungary. “These cars are extremely sensitive to even the smallest imperfection. It really makes a big difference on track.
“I firmly believe that over the last two weekends we have made the most of these characteristics, and that is the most important thing, even more important than the car.”
Ferrari’s potential advantage is expected to come from the car’s balance and available grip through the corners. Those qualities are particularly important around the Hungaroring, where the SF-26’s cornering strengths could play an important role.
Mercedes remain the Hungarian GP qualifying benchmark
“Personally, I still expect Mercedes to be the benchmark and to be very difficult to beat over a qualifying lap,” Charles Leclerc added. “It is also true that, on paper, this is a track that should suit our car a little better.
“Our strength is probably the balance through the corners and the grip we have. On a track like this, that is fundamental. We could therefore be a little closer, but at the end of the day, everything depends on execution.
“If you are even slightly out of position, as we saw in Monaco, where we were not exactly within the car’s ideal operating window, you lose more than the characteristics of the car allow you to gain at a favourable circuit. That is exactly what we are trying to focus on.”
The battle between the two teams is expected to be one of the central themes of the weekend, with Ferrari and Mercedes closely matched in several key areas. Charles Leclerc’s assessment also reflects Mercedes’ confidence in the W17 at the Hungaroring.
Overtaking could be even more difficult in 2026
Charles Leclerc expects passing to be more complicated than in previous seasons. “I think overtaking will be difficult because overtake mode is not as effective at this circuit,” the Ferrari driver explained. “In fact, I think it is even less powerful than DRS, so I think it will be quite difficult to see battles on Sunday.”
The Hungaroring weekend therefore represents an important test for Charles Leclerc and Ferrari. A strong qualifying result could open the way to another significant points haul before the summer break, allowing Charles Leclerc to enter the holiday period with a considerably smaller deficit to his rivals than he faced only a few weeks ago.
Kimi Antonelli remains a distant 78 points ahead, but Charles Leclerc has reduced his deficit to Lewis Hamilton from 46 to 33 points across the last two race weekends.
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