2026 Hungarian Grand Prix: Schedule, TV times and championship stakes

Formula 1 heads to the Hungaroring this weekend for the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final stop before the month-long summer shutdown. With the championship fight approaching a critical juncture, the tight and technical Budapest circuit offers Ferrari a genuine chance to eat into Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli's commanding lead.

Why it matters:

Antonelli carries a 45-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton into the weekend after claiming his sixth victory of the season at Spa. George Russell sits just five points behind his Ferrari rival in third, but faces pressure to recover from a costly first-lap retirement in Belgium. The Hungaroring's narrow, relentless sequence of 14 corners is widely expected to play to Ferrari's strengths, giving Hamilton and Charles Leclerc a key opportunity to strike before the summer shutdown.

The details:

• Schedule: The race weekend runs July 24-26 (AEST), with Sunday's 70-lap grand prix starting at 11:00 PM.
• Broadcast: Live coverage in Australia airs on Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sports, and Foxtel Go. New Zealand viewers can watch on Sky Sport.
• Weather: Forecasts predict warm conditions rising to 30°C on race day, with a slight chance of showers.
• Track: At 4.381km, the Hungaroring offers minimal overtaking and little recovery time between corners, placing enormous emphasis on qualifying and track position.

What's next:

The summer break begins immediately after Hungary, making this the final chance to score before the August shutdown. If Ferrari can convert its pace advantage into a strong result, the title fight could tighten before the season resumes in late August.