Kimi Antonelli is absolutely tearing up the track, extending his F1 world championship lead to a massive 45 points after snagging his sixth win of the season last time out at Spa-Francorchamps. Now, Formula 1 hits the Hungaroring for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Round 11 of the 2026 season, and the big question is if anyone can even slow Antonelli down before the summer break.
Antonelli’s Unstoppable Surge
Seriously, this kid is on another level! Antonelli piloted his Mercedes from pole position straight to victory at Spa, just cementing his hold on the championship. It was a flawless weekend for him, especially contrasted with the disaster for his Mercedes teammate George Russell, who crashed out on the opening lap. Even with Russell’s tough break, Mercedes is absolutely crushing it in the Constructors’ Championship with a whopping 358 points, leaving Ferrari playing catch-up way back at 285. This kind of early season dominance is exactly what you love to see from a top team.
The Chasing Pack Is Fighting for Scraps
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, the closest contender to Antonelli in the driver standings, had a really tough time in Belgium, only managing a fourth-place finish. That’s gotta sting, especially when Antonelli is flying. Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, did manage a second-place finish, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen taking third. Hamilton does have an incredible record in Hungary, with seven wins under his belt, so maybe that history gives him a shot. Let’s not forget last year’s race either, where reigning world champion Lando Norris took the win in Budapest, with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri finishing second. They’re both still in the top six of the driver standings, but they’re miles behind Antonelli.
What’s on the Line Before Summer Break
The full starting grid for Sunday’s race is still TBC for the top ten, but we know Liam Lawson starts eleventh for Racing Bulls, followed by Pierre Gasly for Alpine in twelfth. Franco Colapinto, Gabriel Bortoleto, Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso, Ollie Bearman, Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, and Sergio Perez round out positions thirteen through twenty-two. This is the final race before the customary summer break, so every driver will be pushing hard for points. Catch qualifying this Saturday, July 25 at 3 pm BST, and the big race on Sunday, July 26 at 2 pm BST. UK fans can watch live on Sky Sports, and if you’re in the United States, Apple TV is streaming every session! Don’t miss this one, folks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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