The 2025 Hungarian GP marks 40 years since Formula 1 first raced behind the Iron Curtain, and it arrives as the final stop before the summer break – but there’s nothing slow or sleepy about this one.
This year’s race weekend promises not only historical celebration, but technical relevance too, as teams prepare for a post-race Pirelli tyre test that could shape 2026.
Hungarian GP 2025 Weekend Breakdown
As F1, F2 and F3 head to Budapest for the final showdown before the summer break, the pressure is on.
With championships finely poised and momentum more valuable than ever, the Hungaroring returns as a technical, tyre-chewing test of precision.
It’s shaping up to be a demanding weekend across all three series and the forecast might just add a twist.
Take a look at the full weekend schedule and make sure you’re tuned in for every session.
Hungaroring Preview: Low-Speed Mastery, High-Precision Demands
Tucked into a natural bowl just outside Budapest, the Hungaroring has challenged drivers since its 1986 debut, a race remembered for Nelson Piquet’s audacious pass on Ayrton Senna. At just 4.381 kilometres, it’s one of the shortest circuits on the calendar – but don’t mistake compact for simple. With 14 tight, technical corners and only one truly long straight, this is a track that rewards flow, discipline, and relentless focus.
Often likened to a full-scale karting circuit, the Hungaroring puts an emphasis on rhythm over outright speed. Overtaking is notoriously difficult, so qualifying position and strategy are critical. That’s why teams opt for Monaco-style downforce levels, downforce that helps generate grip through the middle sector’s rapid left-right transitions and keeps tyre wear in check through the low-speed final corners.
A fresh layer of asphalt on the grid and pit lane in 2025 has refined the surface and helped consistency, but don’t expect it to make life easier. With punishing heat, evolving grip levels, and strategy always in flux, the Hungaroring remains one of the most mentally taxing stops on the calendar.
Lap records by each series:
- F1 – 1:16.627 – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 2020
- F2 – 1:26.268 – Oliver Rowland (DAMS) – 2017
- F3 – 1:31.091 – Zak O’Sullivan (Prema Racing) – 2023
Photo Credit: Alpine F1 Team (race track (local) time table)
Hungarian Heatwave with a Sunday Twist
Friday – 1st August
Friday is expected to begin mostly sunny, wtih early temperatures around 16°C and a light northwesterly breeze. As the day warms, highs will reach up to 31°C, with partly cloudy skies developing by the afternoon.
Wind stays gentle, shifting from northwest to southwest throughout the day, gusting no higher than 30 kph. Overall, all sessions should run uninterrupted in stable and warm conditions. Chance of rain is under 10%.
Saturday – 2nd August
Saturday opens with sunshine and temperatures quickly rising into the mid-twenties by late morning. The heat peaks at 32°C during midday, but cloud cover increases from noon onward.
There’s a growing chance of showers, up to 30% in the later afternoon, just as F1 Qualifying gets underway. Winds shift from the southwest in the morning to westerly later, offering little relief from the heat. While most of the day should remain dry, unsettled skies could still create late-day surprises.
Sunday – 3rd August
Rainfall overnight leaves the track potentially damp by morning, with overcast skies lingering. Temperatures hover near 22°C early on, climbing to a max around 27°C. There’s a moderate to high chance of rain in the morning, though it lessens slightly over the day. Chance of rain is around 60%.
Confidence in the forecast is low, but passing showers remain possible throughout the afternoon. Winds stay light from the northwest, keeping conditions unpredictable and tyre strategy wide open.
Tyre Strategy for Hungary: Heat Management and Rain Risks
Formula 1: Familiar Compounds, Familiar Challenges
Pirelli has selected the same trio as last year: C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium), and C5 (Soft). The new C6 is not used here, as it’s too soft for the Hungaroring’s high and repetitive energy demands. Although the track isn’t long, its short lap length puts constant pressure on the tyres every single lap. Combine that with Budapest’s heat and dark tarmac, and thermal degradation becomes a major concern.
Last year, the highest recorded track temperature of the season was here, a blistering 58.6°C. In 2024, two-stop strategies were the most effective, with the C4 Medium showing the strongest performance overall.
Thirteen drivers started on the Medium, while four chose Softs and three began on the Hard compound. Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to finish with one stop, while others even pitted three times. Some used all three compounds, like Alonso and Stroll.
Expect similar strategic diversity this weekend, especially if Sunday’s rain forecast becomes reality.
Photo Credit: Alpine F1 Team
Formula 2: Mediums, Softs, and a Summer Showdown
For Formula 2’s final round before the summer break, Pirelli brings the Medium and Soft compounds to Budapest, marking a return to back-to-back compound choices after last year’s jump from Soft to Hard. That shift opens the door to a broader range of strategies, especially in the Feature Race.
Last season, the grid split right down the middle between the Soft and Hard, but this year’s softer allocation could push teams into more aggressive calls. With the Hungaroring often baking in high heat thermal degradation will be a major factor. If the sun blazes, graining won’t be an issue and the Soft could outperform the Medium over a short stint, despite quicker wear.
For the Sprint, expect most to lean on the Mediums. But in the Feature? It could go either way. If the weather cools, tyre management and the threat of graining could swing the balance back toward the Medium, especially over a longer stint. The pit wall will need to stay sharp. Strategy may well decide who heads into the break on top.
…but if the rain arrives, every calculation goes out the window and adaptability becomes the only strategy that matters.
Formula 3: Soft, Stressed, and Strategy-Heavy
Formula 3 sticks with the softest available rubber this weekend — the Pirelli P Zero Red Soft — a compound that rewards precision and punishes overdriving. At the twisty, high-downforce Hungaroring, tyre life can vanish fast if drivers lean too heavily on the front end or misjudge traction zones on corner exit.
With overtaking notoriously difficult in Budapest, a strong qualifying and tyre preservation over race distance could be the only route to glory. But if rain hits, all bets are off.
Championship Stakes in F1, F2 and F3 Heading into the Summer Break
F1: Momentum, Midfield Mayhem and a Title Race on Edge
McLaren arrive in Hungary as favourites, having won 10 of the last 13 races. Oscar Piastri leads Lando Norris by 16 points heading into the final round before the summer break. Hungary is where Piastri took his first win last year and now returns with growing momentum. If he wins again, the gap extends beyond 20 points. If Norris responds, it shrinks to just nine.
This round won’t decide the title, but it will shape the tone going into August.
Williams leads the pack in fifth place, but several teams are within striking distance. Sauber, VCARB, Aston Martin, Haas, and Alpine are separated by just 23 points. Visa Cash App RBs believe Hungaroring suits their car and see this as a key opportunity. Expect close battles through all three sectors and a shuffle in the standings.
Ferrari showed real progress at Spa with Leclerc finishing on the podium.
Lewis Hamilton recovered from a poor qualifying to climb from the pit lane to seventh. Both drivers praised Ferrari’s upgrades and setup development at end of the Belgian weekend. In Budapest, they could challenge for even more if their pace continues to improve.
Kimi Antonelli is still searching for decent form in recent times. The rookie struggled in Spa, qualifying poorly and finishing outside the points once again.
He admits a lack of confidence, especially on Saturdays, has held him back recently. With three full practice sessions, he’s hoping to reset and rebuild his rhythm in Hungary.
At Alpine, Franco Colapinto is under pressure to deliver his first points of the season. Gasly continues to carry the team, while Colapinto’s best finish remains P13. Budapest has been a strong circuit for him in junior series, including two podiums. A cleaner weekend could secure his place and ease pressure over the summer break.
McLaren dominate the Constructors’ Championship with 516 points, well ahead of Ferrari’s 248. Mercedes and Red Bull round out the top four but lack the consistency to close the gap. In the Drivers’ standings, only Piastri and Norris remain realistic title contenders, for now.
What Happened in 2024
Oscar Piastri claimed his maiden Formula 1 win after team orders reversed positions between him and Lando Norris. McLaren secured their first 1–2 finish since 2021, despite controversy over the timing of the swap.
Verstappen collided with Hamilton during a late-race battle and dropped to fifth after losing fourth to Leclerc. His teammate Sergio Pérez recovered from early setbacks to finish seventh, while Gasly retired due to a suspected hydraulics issue.
And Lewis Hamilton finished third, becoming the first driver to score 200 career podiums in Formula 1.
F2: Five Contenders, One Break and a Championship Up for Grabs
Formula 2 arrives in Hungary with the standings shaken and the title fight tighter than ever before. Leonardo Fornaroli leads the championship after winning back-to-back Sprint Races and finishing fifth in the Feature. His consistency has made him the most reliable scorer, now holding a three-point advantage over Richard Verschoor.
Verschoor and Jak Crawford failed to score in Belgium, dropping from first and second to second and third overall. Both drivers struggled in qualifying and got tangled up in the chaotic Sprint, ending their weekend without points. Despite that, each has three wins this year and remains a threat if they bounce back in Budapest.
Alex Dunne was dominant at Spa until a post-race penalty dropped him from victory to ninth in the Feature.
Arvid Lindblad briefly inherited the win, only to be disqualified for low tyre pressures after the race. That gave Roman Staněk a surprise win and Invicta Racing a major points haul from the Belgian weekend.
Luke Browning impressed again in the rain, charging from P12 to P3 and showing serious wet-weather skill. Without a spin on pit exit, Browning could’ve fought for the win and now he’s hungry for redemption.
With rain in the Sunday forecast, Spa-like conditions could return and Browning might just shine again if the skies open up.
Watch out for Ritomo Miyata too. He scored his first F2 podium at Spa and looked sharp all weekend. Miyata’s breakthrough was well-timed, and Budapest could offer another opportunity to showcase his growth.
Only 12 points separate the top five in the standings.
What Happened in 2024
Sprint Race:
Verschoor was disqualified post-race for a technical plank infringement, losing the win. Kush Maini inherited his maiden F2 victory, with Hadjar promoted to P3 and Correa snatching the final point.
Feature Race:
Kimi Antonelli stormed from seventh to first with a late charge on soft tyres after a Safety Car restart. It was his second win of the season, ahead of Victor Martins and Richard Verschoor on the road.
F3: Pressure Peaks, Rising Stars, and a Championship on the Brink
The Formula 3 championship fight heads to Hungary, and the pressure is starting to crush even the calmest contenders. Rafael Câmara remains the points leader, but his early-season dominance has faded under increasing pressure from the Campos Racing duo.
Nikola Tsolov and Mari Boya are closing fast, with Boya riding a wave of momentum after three straight podiums and a Silverstone win. Tim Tramnitz stays quietly in the hunt, but a DNF at Spa hurt. A bounce-back here is vital for his championship chances.
Trident retook the teams’ lead in Belgium, helped by Noah Strømsted’s first win and Wurz’s maiden podium, but Campos is closing fast.
Hungary’s tight layout makes qualifying crucial. With only two rounds left, a poor Saturday could ruin a title dream. Prema, once unstoppable, now needs results. If Ugo delivers, Budapest could be a turning point in their difficult season.
Ugo Ugochukwu is still chasing his first win, but recent podium form shows he’s finding confidence when it matters most.
Dark horses like Inthraphuvasak and Benavides could disrupt the order again, especially if wet weather returns on Sunday.
With 78 points left on the table and five drivers still in the hunt, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Hungary may not crown a champion but it could bury a few contenders.
What Happened in 2024
Sprint Race:
Nikita Bedrin took his maiden F3 victory in a dominant AIX Racing 1–2, ahead of teammate Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak. PREMA’s Dino Beganovic fought hard early but settled for third after a small off-track moment.
Feature Race:
Nikola Tsolov claimed his first Feature Race win in F3, leading an ART 1–2 finish ahead of teammate Laurens van Hoepen. The Bulgarian controlled the race from the front despite late pressure and a Safety Car, with Noel León completing the podium.
Feature Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool