Ferrari plays down Hungarian GP favourite tag despite strong Silverstone and Spa form

Charles Leclerc has refused to label Ferrari as Hungarian Grand Prix favourites despite the team's impressive recent form and a car that appears well-suited to the Hungaroring's characteristics. After winning at Silverstone and finishing second at Spa — both tracks where the SF-26 was expected to struggle — the Scuderia arrive in Budapest with renewed optimism, though Leclerc and team principal Fred Vasseur are determined to avoid a repeat of their Monaco letdown.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's resurgence across varied circuit layouts has positioned them as genuine championship contenders in 2026, but the leadership is clearly wary of complacency. Leclerc specifically cited the Monaco Grand Prix, where high expectations preceded a painful home DNF and a defeat to Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, as proof that theoretical pace guarantees nothing without execution. This cautious approach suggests a maturing culture at Maranello, where consistency and operational discipline are taking precedence over raw speed.

The details:

• Leclerc claimed his first 2026 win at Silverstone and followed it with second place at Spa, results that defied predictions on energy-deprived circuits.
• The Hungaroring's energy-rich, corner-heavy profile is theoretically more favourable to Ferrari's package, prompting speculation the SF-26 could excel this weekend.
• Lewis Hamilton carries formidable momentum with eight previous Hungarian GP victories, making him a serious threat at one of his strongest venues.
• Both Leclerc and Vasseur cautioned that rivals will introduce upgrades, and that tyre management, preparation, and set-up — not paper performance — will decide the outcome.
• Vasseur emphasized that every race weekend starts from scratch, with no guarantees carrying over from one track to the next.

What's next:

Ferrari must convert their recent momentum into another clean qualifying and race performance at a circuit that could shape their mid-season trajectory. With Hamilton hunting a record-extending ninth Budapest win and Leclerc looking to build on his Silverstone triumph, the Scuderia's ability to maximize their package while ignoring the hype will be crucial. A strong execution could tighten both championship fights; another Monaco-style slip-up would prove that expectations remain Ferrari's toughest opponent.