Formula 1 returns to the Hungaroring this weekend for the Hungarian Grand Prix and round 11 of the 2026 season.Kimi Antonelli claimed his sixth win of the season last time out at Spa-Francorchamps, winning from pole position to extend his lead in the F1 world championship to 45 points after Mercedes teammate George Russell crashed out on the opening lap. Lewis Hamilton is now Antonelli’s closest contender but could only finish fourth on a disappointing weekend for the Briton in Belgium, but he has won seven times in Hungary. His Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, finished second with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in third. Reigning world champion Lando Norris won last year’s race in Budapest ahead of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. It is the final race before the customary summer break. Follow live updates from the Hungarian GP with The Independent Constructor standings ahead of Hungarian GPFrom a lead of more than 100 points, Mercedes are getting pegged back in the constructors’ championship: 1. Mercedes - 358 points 2. Ferrari - 285 points 3. McLaren - 195 points 4. Red Bull - 151 points 5. Alpine - 61 points6. Racing Bulls - 61 points 7. Haas - 21 points 8. Williams - 11 points 9. Audi - 10 points 10. Aston Martin - 1 point11. Cadillac - 0 points Kieran Jackson25 July 2026 11:15PREVIEW: Aston Martin in last-chance saloon to keep Fernando Alonso in Formula 1 They say seeing is believing. And seeing the leaderboard in qualifying last weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, specifically the initial phase, really did take some believing.For a team whose underlying goal was to be a Formula One world championship contender in 2026, Aston Martin’s opening 10 races have been nothing short of a calamity. From “nerve damage” safety concerns at the season opener in Australia to countless power unit failures, Aston’s new partnership with Honda has been woeful. What’s more, they previously used Mercedes engines, by far and away the most powerful on the grid in the sport’s new electrical energy-focused era.And in Q1 at the last race in Belgium, Aston drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were both more than two seconds slower than the next-slowest car, new team Cadillac, and more than four seconds off the frontrunners. But this weekend, they have a big upgrade: Kieran Jackson25 July 2026 11:10Antonelli has a 45-point lead We know for sure that Antonelli will head into the summer break in front; but will he have an even bigger lead? Here’s the top-10: 1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 204 points 2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 159 points 3. George Russell (Mercedes) - 154 points 4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 126 points 5. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 103 points 6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 92 points7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 91 points 8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 60 points 9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 42 points10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 39 points Kieran Jackson25 July 2026 11:05What are the start times this weekend in Budapest?All times BSTSaturday 25 July Free practice 3: 11:30amQualifying: 3pmSunday 26 JulyRace: 2pm Kieran Jackson25 July 2026 11:00F1 Hungarian Grand Prix Kimi Antonelli claimed his sixth win of the season last time out at Spa-Francorchamps, winning from pole position to extend his lead in the F1 world championship to 45 points after Mercedes teammate George Russell crashed out on the opening lap. Lewis Hamilton is now Antonelli’s closest contender but could only finish fourth on a disappointing weekend for the Briton in Belgium, but he has won seven times in Hungary. His Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, finished second with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in third. Reigning world champion Lando Norris won last year’s race in Budapest ahead of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. It is the final race before the customary summer break. (Reuters)Kieran Jackson25 July 2026 10:57