As Formula 1 heads to the Hungaroring for the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, the layout of the circuit appears perfectly suited to McLaren’s current strengths. The MCL39 has shown remarkable technical superiority in recent races, and in Budapest, the team from Woking is widely regarded as the pre-event favourite. The track’s sequence of medium-speed corners and typically high ambient temperatures seem tailor-made for the characteristics of the McLaren MCL39.
Ferrari, however, is determined to rise to the challenge. The Italian team will aim to optimise the performance of its new rear suspension system to become the top contender behind McLaren. Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen will likely focus on Saturday’s qualifying session, as track position is critically important on a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult.
McLaren in Its Natural Habitat
Just days after the Belgian Grand Prix, the Formula 1 paddock moves to a completely different environment. The Hungaroring in Hungary presents a stark contrast to Spa-Francorchamps. While the Belgian track prioritises aerodynamic efficiency and top speed due to its long straights and average qualifying speeds exceeding 250 km/h, Budapest offers a much slower pace, with qualifying speeds dropping to an average of just 210 km/h — the lowest since the Monaco Grand Prix.
Apart from the main straight, the Hungarian circuit is a relentless series of bends and turns. With almost no straights to allow the tyres to cool, tyre management becomes a central challenge, even in qualifying. Drivers must carefully preserve their tyres, particularly the rear ones, to ensure strong performance in the crucial third sector.
Fortunately for McLaren, this is an area where the team excels. The MCL39 has consistently demonstrated superior rear tyre management, especially in the hot weather conditions typical of Budapest in July and August. These factors align to create an almost ideal scenario for McLaren to dominate.
From the prevalence of medium- and high-speed corners to the emphasis on aerodynamic downforce, all signs point to a strong weekend for the British outfit. Team Principal Andrea Stella had already noted during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend that McLaren’s car performs especially well in this type of corner — an insight that bodes well for success in Hungary.
Tracks such as Barcelona and the Red Bull Ring in Austria have also highlighted McLaren’s strength in maintaining stability through longer curves, several of which feature prominently at the Hungaroring — including Turns 2, 5, 13, and 14. The short straights at the venue allow the team to run a high-downforce setup, another advantage for the MCL39. Moreover, the car’s efficient cooling systems further enhance its reliability under thermal stress. Taken together, these characteristics suggest that McLaren is in a prime position to end the first half of the season on a high before the summer break.
Ferrari Looking to Cement Second Place in the Constructors’ Championship
After the Sprint weekend format in Belgium limited setup experimentation, Ferrari will benefit from a traditional race format in Hungary, with three full free practice sessions to fine-tune its revised rear suspension. Data gathered at Spa-Francorchamps will guide the development and adjustments made during the Friday practice sessions, as the team seeks to unlock more performance from the latest upgrade package.
Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur explained that not all upgrades deliver immediate results. Some require a longer adaptation process to understand their interaction with other key car elements such as brake balance, ride height, and tyre behaviour. Ferrari currently finds itself in this evaluation phase, and Budapest presents a valuable opportunity to continue refining its latest development.
The Hungaroring is known for its demanding layout, particularly on rear tyres due to frequent traction zones. Ferrari is expected to work on softening the rear of the car to enhance mechanical grip — a move that aligns with Charles Leclerc’s long-standing request to improve performance in slower corners.
Another factor working in Ferrari’s favour is the high temperatures expected in Hungary. These conditions tend to bring the SF-25 closer to its optimal operating window. While medium-speed corners — which dominate the Budapest track — have not been the car’s strongest area this season, the 2025 Ferrari has shown resilience in longer bends, and aerodynamic instability has not been a major concern.
Although the Hungaroring may not offer Ferrari its best shot at a Grand Prix victory, the team is aiming to maximise its weekend by finishing as the second-fastest team, behind McLaren. Achieving that goal would allow the Scuderia to widen the gap over Mercedes in the Constructors’ standings and further solidify its hold on second place in the championship.
Max Verstappen Hopes for a Qualifying Masterclass
With the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship now looking increasingly out of reach, Max Verstappen’s focus has shifted toward winning individual races during the remainder of the 2025 season. A victory in Hungary will be no easy feat unless the reigning World Champion can deliver one of his trademark qualifying laps on Saturday.
Starting from the front row is crucial at the Hungaroring, where track position often dictates race pace and tyre strategy. Clean air allows drivers to manage tyre degradation more effectively and set the rhythm of the race. For Verstappen, securing pole position could be his only realistic path to a potential win this weekend.
In contrast, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team is bracing for another difficult outing. The W16 appears to be in decline, hampered by persistent issues with tyre overheating. Drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli struggled with setup changes in Austria — adjustments that ultimately made things worse. It remains to be seen whether the team has learned from those mistakes and can apply those lessons in Hungary.
Tyre Choices and Strategy: Pirelli’s Role
Pirelli will bring the C3, C4, and C5 compounds to the Hungarian Grand Prix — the same softest tyre options used in last year’s edition. These compounds tend to degrade quickly, particularly under high temperatures, which is expected to introduce a high degree of strategic variability during the race.
McLaren will be hoping that the race does not descend into a scenario where team orders become necessary, potentially forcing one driver to sacrifice their race for the benefit of the other. In 2024, team strategy played a decisive role in the outcome of the Hungarian Grand Prix. This year, however, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are in the hunt for something far more important than a single race win: the battle for supremacy within McLaren as they fight for both individual glory and team success.
Leave a Reply