2025 Formula One Race Preview - Hungarian Grand Prix: Can McLaren continue their dominance at Hungaroring? july 31, 2025 by Marc Jerbs

The 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, round 14 of the Formula 1 season, is set for Sunday, August 3 at 2:00 PM BST at the iconic Hungaroring. As the last race before Formula 1's traditional summer break, this event carries added weight for teams and drivers looking to build momentum ahead of the season's final stretch.

Weekend Schedule and Key Details

The Grand Prix weekend unfolds over three days, beginning with practice sessions and culminating in the main race on Sunday.

Friday, August 1

• Free Practice 1 (FP1): 12:30 PM BST – Teams begin refining their setups.
• Free Practice 2 (FP2): 4:00 PM BST – Focus shifts to race pace and tire data.

Saturday, August 2

• Free Practice 3 (FP3): 11:30 AM BST – Final setup adjustments.
• Qualifying: 3:00 PM BST – A crucial session at a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult.

Sunday, August 3

• Race: 2:00 PM BST – 70 laps over the 4.381 km circuit, totaling 306.63 km.

Pirelli has selected the C3 (hard), C4 (medium), and C5 (soft) compounds—the softest range available—giving teams varied strategic options across the weekend.

Weather Forecast

The forecast suggests mixed conditions that could shape the race dynamics:

• Friday and Saturday: Warm and dry, with highs around 28°C. These stable conditions should aid in tire warm-up and setup consistency.
• Sunday (Race Day): Cooler with overcast skies and a 60% chance of light rain during the early stages. A damp or wet track could create unpredictable race scenarios and open the door for bold strategy calls.

2025 Hungarian Grand Prix Sports Bet Odds

Oscar Piastri is the favorite to win the Hungarian Grand Prix. Here are our latest odds:

• Oscar Piastri is favored to win outright at 2.50. His teammate Lando Norris is set at 2.75.
• With odds of 2.62, Oscar Piastri is considered the most likely driver to achieve pole position.
• McLaren is strongly favored to secure a double podium finish, with odds currently at 1.53.

Hungaroring: Tight, Technical, and Unforgiving

Often dubbed the “Monaco of the countryside,” the Hungaroring is tight, twisty, and physically demanding, with limited overtaking opportunities.

• Track Layout: A mix of medium and low-speed corners with constant direction changes and elevation shifts. The circuit prioritizes cornering grip and aerodynamic efficiency over raw straight-line speed.
• Car Setup: High downforce is essential. Teams will trade top speed for optimal cornering, with special focus on suspension tuning for traction and responsiveness.
• Tire Strategy: Tire degradation—particularly on the rear tires—is a key factor. A two-stop strategy is typically preferred, though teams could pivot to three stops depending on race circumstances such as Safety Car periods or unexpected tire wear.

Championship Picture: McLaren Leads the Charge

As the paddock heads to Hungary, McLaren continues to set the pace in both title fights.

• Constructors' Standings: McLaren leads Ferrari by a commanding 268 points, thanks to consistent podium finishes and race wins.
• Drivers' Standings: Oscar Piastri tops the table, 16 points ahead of teammate Lando Norris. Piastri's recent victory in Belgium solidified his title credentials as he returns to the circuit where he claimed his maiden Grand Prix win in 2024.
• McLaren's Momentum: The team has won eight of the last ten races and recorded three consecutive 1-2 finishes, establishing a dominant run. Norris, who claimed pole position at last year's Hungarian GP but finished second to Piastri, will be looking to turn the tables.

Other Challengers to Watch

While McLaren remains the benchmark, several rivals could pose a threat:

• Max Verstappen: Although without a Grand Prix win in recent rounds, his Sprint race victory shows he's still a dangerous contender—especially if he starts from pole.
• Lewis Hamilton: The most successful driver at the Hungaroring with eight wins. While his last came in 2020, his experience and racecraft could prove valuable in changing conditions.
• Ferrari: Their high-downforce package suits this circuit. If they can execute a clean weekend, they may challenge for the podium and claw back points in both championships.

Final Thought

As the final race before the mid-season break, the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix offers a pivotal opportunity for momentum shifts and surprise outcomes. With McLaren looking to extend their dominance, and rivals like Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes eager to respond, all eyes are on the Hungaroring. Add the potential for rain, a notoriously tight circuit, and high championship stakes—and fans are in for a dramatic and strategic showdown in Budapest.

2025 Formula One Driver Standings

Rank	Drivers	Team Name	Total Points	Poles	Wins
1	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	266	6	6
2	Lando Norris	McLaren	250	9	4
3	Max Verstappen	Red Bull Racing	185	14	2
4	George Russell	Mercedes AMG Motorsport	157	1	1
5	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	139	0	0
6	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	109	1	0
7	Andrea Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes AMG Motorsport	63	0	0
8	Alexander Albon	Williams	54	0	0
9	Nico Hulkenberg	Sauber	37	0	0
10	Esteban Ocon	Haas F1 Team	27	0	0
11	Isack Hadjar	Racing Bulls	22	0	0
12	Pierre Gasly	Alpine F1 Team	20	0	0
13	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin F1 Team	20	0	0
15	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin F1 Team	16	0	0
16	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	14	0	0
16	Carlos Sainz Jr.	Williams	16	0	0
17	Yuki Tsunoda	Red Bull Racing	10	0	0
18	Oliver Bearman	Haas F1 Team	8	0	0
19	Gabriel Bortoleto	Sauber	6	0	0
20	Franco Colapinto	Alpine F1 Team	0	0	0
21	Jack Doohan	Alpine F1 Team	0	0	0