Levi Rothermund
Round 11 arrives in Budapest with Kimi Antonelli leading the championship and Mercedes chasing a statement weekend
Formula 1 rolls into Mogyoród this weekend for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, the eleventh round of the season and the 41st time the sport has raced at the Hungaroring since the circuit’s debut back in 1986. Officially billed as the Formula 1 AWS Hungarian Grand Prix 2026, the event runs from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26, with the race itself set for Sunday afternoon local time.
Practice and qualifying take place across Friday and Saturday, alongside full rounds of FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3, and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup — but it’s Sunday that matters most. Here’s the full breakdown of race day, plus the championship picture and driver lineup heading into the weekend.
When Is the Hungarian Grand Prix? Key Dates and Race Start Time
The 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix takes place at the 4.381-kilometre Hungaroring, with the race starting at 15:00 local time on Sunday, July 26, run over 70 laps. Budapest sits two hours ahead of UTC, so international viewers will want to double-check their local conversion before setting an alarm.
Qualifying, which sets the grid order for Sunday, took place at 16:00 local time on Saturday, July 25.
- Also read: Hungarian Grand Prix Odds: Antonelli Favourite, But Ferrari Gaining Ground at the Hungaroring
Race Day: The Full Sunday Timetable at the Hungaroring
Sunday is where the weekend builds to its climax, with support races in the morning giving way to the pre-race ceremony and, finally, the Grand Prix itself. All times are local (UTC+2) and provisional — the promoter can adjust the programme up until race day.
| Series | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| — | Gates open | 07:30 |
| FIA Formula 3 | Feature Race (24 laps or 45 mins +1 lap) | 08:40–09:30 |
| FIA Formula 3 | Press Conference | 09:50–10:20 |
| Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup | Race (16 laps or 30 mins +1 lap) | 10:10–10:45 |
| FIA Formula 2 | Feature Race (37 laps or 60 mins +1 lap) | 11:25–12:30 |
| Formula 1 | Drivers’ Parade | 13:00–13:30 |
| FIA Formula 2 | Press Conference | 13:30–14:00 |
| Formula 1 | National Anthem | 14:44–14:46 |
| Promoter Activity | Air Display – Flyover | 14:48–14:50 |
| Formula 1 | Hungarian Grand Prix (70 laps) | 15:00–17:00 |
| — | Gates close | 20:00 |
The Championship Picture Heading Into Budapest
This weekend’s action carries real title weight. Kimi Antonelli arrives in Hungary leading the Drivers’ Championship on 204 points, a 45-point cushion over Lewis Hamilton in second and a 50-point gap to teammate George Russell in third. That Mercedes 1-3 is no coincidence — the team leads the Constructors’ Championship with 358 points, well clear of Ferrari (285) and McLaren (195) in second and third.
With Mercedes dominating the standings on both fronts, the Hungaroring’s tight, twisty layout — often dubbed “Monaco without the walls” — offers a genuine test of whether their advantage holds on a circuit that rewards downforce and precision over raw straight-line speed.
Who’s Driving What: Entrants and Rookie Appearances
The full-time driver lineup mirrors the season entry list, with no changes to the regular grid. However, FIA regulations require teams to run drivers with fewer than two Grand Prix starts during a first practice session at least twice per season, and four teams used Hungary to fulfil that obligation on Friday:
- Leonardo Fornaroli stepped in for McLaren, replacing Oscar Piastri
- Colton Herta took the wheel for Cadillac in place of Valtteri Bottas
- Ryo Hirakawa drove for Haas, standing in for Oliver Bearman
- Paul Aron ran for Alpine, substituting for Franco Colapinto
All four returned their regular seats for the remainder of the weekend, meaning all the usual faces are back on the grid for Sunday’s race.
FAQ: Hungarian Grand Prix 2026
What time does the Hungarian Grand Prix start?
The race gets underway at 15:00 local time (UTC+2) on Sunday, July 26, running for 70 laps of the Hungaroring.
What time was qualifying for the Hungarian GP?
Qualifying took place at 16:00 local time on Saturday, July 25, setting the grid for Sunday’s race.
How many laps is the Hungarian Grand Prix?
The race is scheduled for 70 laps of the 4.381-kilometre circuit.
Is Budapest ahead of UTC?
Yes — Budapest runs on UTC+2, so fans outside Central Europe should adjust accordingly when planning to watch.
Who is leading the championship going into the race?
Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship, while Mercedes tops the Constructors’ standings ahead of Ferrari and McLaren.
What to Watch For This Weekend
With Mercedes holding a commanding lead in both championships and a circuit that has historically punished overconfidence, Hungary shapes up as a pivotal round in the 2026 season. Whether Ferrari and McLaren can find a way to disrupt the rhythm — or whether Antonelli extends his advantage further — should become clear soon after lights out on Sunday. Either way, the Hungaroring rarely disappoints, and race day’s tight schedule of support races and ceremony gives fans plenty to follow before the main event.