Frédéric Vasseur says Hungaroring should suit Ferrari SF-26 but guarantees nothing. Why Ferrari believes the Hungaroring could suit the SF-26 better.

Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur believes the Hungaroring should suit the Ferrari SF-26 better than the previous two circuits, but he has warned that a favourable track layout alone will not guarantee success at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Formula 1 is preparing for its final race weekend before the summer break, with the teams and drivers heading to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will attempt to maintain Ferrari’s encouraging run as the team tackles a circuit expected to provide a more natural match for its car. Fans can find the complete 2026 Hungarian GP timetable and TV schedule ahead of the weekend.

Ferrari SF-26 expected to suit the Hungaroring

Ferrari arrive in Hungary after two excellent performances at Silverstone and Spa, circuits that appeared unfavourable to the SF-26 on paper. Expectations are therefore high as the car prepares to run on a track that should showcase more of its strengths without exposing its weaknesses to the same extent. The Hungaroring’s characteristics, particularly its sequence of slower corners, could provide a more suitable test of the SF-26’s capabilities.

However, Ferrari remain mindful of what happened in Monaco. Being considered the favourite on paper did not translate into a winning weekend, offering a clear reminder that theoretical track suitability does not automatically produce results. Charles Leclerc has similarly explained why Ferrari cannot simply assume the Hungaroring will favour the SF-26.

Frédéric Vasseur: Track suitability guarantees nothing

“We arrive in Budapest after two encouraging weekends, in which we managed to maximise the result thanks to a great team effort,” Frédéric Vasseur said. “That gives us confidence, but we also know that every Grand Prix is a story in itself. On paper, the Hungaroring could suit the characteristics of our car a little better, but that alone guarantees nothing.”

The Ferrari team principal therefore wants the team to preserve the approach that allowed it to extract strong results from the previous two race weekends, with preparation and operational precision once again expected to play a decisive role.

“As always, execution will make the difference,” Frédéric Vasseur added. “We will have to approach the weekend with the same focus, discipline and attention to detail shown in the recent races. We have a close-knit team, two highly motivated drivers and we know we can count on the support of all our fans. The objective is to continue on our path, working well from Friday onwards to put ourselves in the best possible position for qualifying and the race.”