In Pictures: Hungary 2026
The Hungaroring hosted the final race before Formula 1's annual summer break. Over the past two years, the circuit has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment program, affecting the paddock, hospitality areas, as well as the track and grandstands. For the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, Turns 1 and 12 were resurfaced, following last year's work on the pit lane and starting grid.
The circuit measures 4.381 kilometers (2.722 miles) and features 14 corners. It is often compared to a kart track because of its short length and twisty layout. The start-finish straight is the only significant straight and one of the few genuine overtaking opportunities on the circuit. Elsewhere, drivers face a succession of corners, several of them 180-degree bends, negotiated 70 times over the course of the race. For this reason, car setups are usually very similar to those used at Monaco.
The 2026 race marked the 41st running of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Every edition has been held at the Hungaroring, on the outskirts of Budapest, continuously since 1986. The driver with the most victories at this track is Lewis Hamilton with eight wins, four more than Michael Schumacher. McLaren, with 14 victories, is the most successful constructor in Budapest. Three drivers on the current grid have claimed their maiden Formula 1 victory in Hungary: Fernando Alonso in 2003 with Renault, Esteban Ocon in 2021 with Alpine, also the team's first win, and Oscar Piastri in 2024 with McLaren.
FRIDAY
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton set the fastest times in the first and second free practice sessions, respectively. Not only did the Ferrari drivers top the timesheets across Friday's two practice sessions, they also proved to be the quickest on both the Soft and Medium compounds.
In FP1, the majority of drivers opted for the Medium (C4) tire for their opening runs, while only the two Cadillacs and the Aston Martins took to the track on the Hard (C3). Toward the end of the session, Leclerc set the benchmark time on the Soft (C5), stopping the clocks at 1:19.075. The Monegasque also led the way on the C4 with a lap of 1:20.287.
In the second session, it was Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton who finished on top with a time of 1:18.729, again set on the Soft compound. He was followed by Leclerc and Lando Norris, both also running on the red-walled tire. The seven-time world champion was also the fastest driver on the Medium in the same session, posting a 1:19.585.
During the opening phase of FP2, the focus was largely on the Hard and Medium tires. Alex Albon completed the highest number of laps on a set of C3s, covering 26 laps, while George Russell and Valtteri Bottas each managed 23 laps on the C4. Among those who ran the Soft, Leclerc was the most productive, completing 18 laps on the C5.
Ambient temperatures remained around 77°F (25°C), while track temperatures peaked at 115°F (46°C).
SATURDAY
Lando Norris secured pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The reigning world champion set the fastest time of the session on his final attempt. With a lap of 1:17.207, the Briton edged Lewis Hamilton, who qualified second. Charles Leclerc took third on the grid with a time of 1:17.445.
The McLaren driver had also been quickest in the third free practice session. Norris's best time in FP3 was a 1:17.939. Hamilton finished with a 1:18.056, ahead of Kimi Antonelli, who was third with a 1:18.068. The highest temperatures of the day were recorded during this session, with track temperatures peaking at 127°F (53°C) and air temperatures reaching 84°F (29°C).
Several hours after qualifying, Lewis Hamilton received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri during Q3. Kimi Antonelli was also handed a three-place grid penalty for failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags after Red Bull's Max Verstappen spun in Q3.
SUNDAY
Lando Norris won the Hungarian Grand Prix. The British driver finished ahead of Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli. The victory was built on a three-stop strategy, allowing Norris to maximize the pace of a final stint on Soft tires, while the other two drivers on the podium completed only two pit stops during the race.
The race was held in warmer conditions than on Saturday, with track temperatures exceeding 120°F (49°C), while ambient temperatures peaked at 93°F (34°C). Antonelli now leads the championship with 219 points, followed by Hamilton in second with 169.
Media courtesy of Pirelli S.p.A., Getty Images, and the official Formula 1 team press offices. All images are provided via Getty Images through the respective team media platforms and are credited to their rightful copyright holders. Photos not for sale.
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY - 2026 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
2026 Hungarian Grand Prix Classification
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