Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari can be strong at the Hungarian Grand Prix, provided the team finds the ideal set-up and avoids costly mistakes. The British champion has also revealed that further SF-26 updates are in the pipeline as Ferrari continues its attempt to close the performance gap to Mercedes.
After leaving Spa-Francorchamps with 30 points and coming closer to victory than many had expected, Ferrari now heads to Budapest with renewed confidence. The Hungaroring has been highlighted as a potentially favourable circuit, although the team will still need to execute a clean weekend to convert that promise into a major result.
Ferrari leaves Spa with reasons for optimism
Was the Belgian Grand Prix weekend a case of the glass being half full for Ferrari? The Maranello team collected 30 points at Spa-Francorchamps and even managed to challenge for victory with Charles Leclerc, despite the cautious expectations expressed before the event.
Charles Leclerc eventually finished second, while Lewis Hamilton recovered to fourth in a weekend covered in detail in our complete Ferrari Belgian Grand Prix review.
The weekend was less positive for Lewis Hamilton on a personal level. His accident during FP3 significantly affected his confidence in the Ferrari, disrupting his preparation before qualifying and the race. His difficulties were later compounded when Ferrari missed a front-wing adjustment during the Belgian Grand Prix, compromising the balance of his car.
George Russell’s retirement nevertheless helped Ferrari reduce Mercedes’ advantage at the top of the Constructors’ Championship. Mercedes now leads Ferrari by 73 points. The situation moved in the opposite direction in the Drivers’ Championship, where Kimi Antonelli’s victory at Spa extended his advantage.
Kimi Antonelli now leads Lewis Hamilton, the highest-placed Ferrari driver, by 45 points. Charles Leclerc is 78 points behind the Mercedes championship leader.
Lewis Hamilton expects a strong Ferrari Hungarian GP
Speaking to Sky Italia, Lewis Hamilton explained why he is approaching the Budapest weekend with confidence, while stressing that Ferrari cannot afford further errors.
“I think this car will be strong in Hungary. If we find the ideal set-up and do not make mistakes, then I think we can get where we deserve to be,” Lewis Hamilton said.
The Hungaroring’s slower and more technical layout could theoretically play to the strengths of the SF-26. However, Charles Leclerc has warned that Ferrari cannot simply assume Hungary will suit the car, particularly with Mercedes continuing to set the benchmark at the front.
Further Ferrari SF-26 updates are in the pipeline
Lewis Hamilton also told Sky UK that Ferrari’s development programme is continuing and suggested that further updates could arrive during the next rounds of the Formula 1 season.
“I think it is really great to see the performances we are achieving, and we are constantly improving the car,” Lewis Hamilton explained. “I think we have more updates in the pipeline to try to close that gap.”
Ferrari’s progress at Spa, a circuit that was not initially expected to favour the SF-26, has increased interest in what the team can achieve in Budapest. The next challenge will be to turn its improving performance into a complete weekend without the accidents, set-up issues or operational mistakes that have previously limited its results.
Fans can find the complete session schedule, television coverage and streaming information in the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix timetable and viewing guide.
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