A problem with the Hungaroring’s new asphalt has disrupted Formula 1 teams’ preparations for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Several sections resurfaced between Turns 1 and 12 are offering limited grip and feature significant bumps, forcing teams to soften their cars and move away from the set-ups they had originally planned.
More concerningly, some drivers reported after Friday’s running that the asphalt already appeared to be breaking up in several places. If the surface continues to deteriorate, the problem could become more pronounced on Saturday and during Sunday’s race.
Hungaroring asphalt problem forces teams to revise their set-ups
The track surface has become an unexpected concern at the Hungaroring. As part of the circuit’s modernisation work over recent years, the Hungarian Grand Prix organisers decided to make further changes to the asphalt.
The main straight had previously been resurfaced, while this year’s work covered several areas between Turn 1 and Turn 12. However, the new sections are not only providing less grip than the existing surface; in some places, the asphalt appears to be almost crumbling.
This is far from a minor issue for the teams. Managing two types of asphalt with different grip levels is already complicated, but the challenge becomes greater when the surface itself forces engineers to change the car’s set-up. It adds another variable to a weekend in which teams are also evaluating the official Hungarian Grand Prix upgrade packages.
Unexpected bumps catch out teams targeting stiffer cars
Many teams expected to run their cars with stiffer set-ups, but the resurfacing work has created substantial bumps that prevented them from using the configurations prepared before the weekend.
By its nature, the Hungaroring is not particularly well suited to extremely stiff set-ups. Drivers regularly attack the kerbs, so a car capable of absorbing those impacts effectively can offer an advantage. At the same time, maintaining a mechanically and aerodynamically stable platform through the medium and high-speed sequences remains crucial.
The bumps that have developed in the resurfaced areas therefore caught out teams that had opted for greater stiffness. Engineers were forced to reconsider their choices and search for a more effective operating window. The situation is especially relevant because the 2026 cars face different braking demands at the Hungaroring, while stability remains important through the circuit’s technical sequences.
George Russell says asphalt is breaking up in the final corners
According to several drivers, the surface is already deteriorating in multiple areas. George Russell highlighted the unusual conditions after Friday’s running and warned that the problem was particularly noticeable near the end of the lap.
“It was quite a strange day for everyone, I think. Budapest is a fantastic track to drive, but they have resurfaced half of the circuit: it is super bumpy and, in several places, especially in the final corners, the asphalt is breaking up, which makes it quite peculiar to drive,” George Russell explained at the end of Friday’s running.
His comments underline how significantly the surface affected the opening day. The changing grip levels provide further context when assessing the competitive picture between Ferrari and Mercedes at the Hungarian Grand Prix, as outright lap times do not reveal every difficulty faced by the drivers.
Oscar Piastri highlights wind and limited grip
Oscar Piastri expressed similar concerns. Strong winds also affected Friday’s running at the Hungaroring, with gusts making it harder for drivers and engineers to identify the correct operating window and achieve the ideal balance. The limited grip on the resurfaced sections further complicated that work.
“I think the track conditions are quite challenging; there is a lot of wind. The new parts of the circuit do not offer much grip and they are… I wouldn’t say they are breaking up, but they are very worn,” the McLaren driver added.
The combination of gusty conditions, uneven grip and an increasingly worn surface leaves teams with several factors to consider before qualifying and the race. Weather could also influence how quickly conditions evolve, making the latest Hungarian Grand Prix weather forecast particularly important.
Teams must now determine whether further set-up compromises will be required as more rubber is laid down and the resurfaced sections endure additional running. The central concern is whether the new asphalt will stabilise or continue to deteriorate as the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend progresses.
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