(Motorsport-Total.com) – Formula 1 often writes its most fascinating stories over the course of exactly twelve months. When Lewis Hamilton arrives in the paddock for the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend, he does so with a completely transformed aura. It was a year ago that the record world champion was at the absolute low point of his career at the Hungaroring after a disastrous Q2 exit, calling himself “useless” on the radio.
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Back then, during his tough debut season for Ferrari, the Brit, visibly struggling with the ground-effect cars, even demanded in frustration that the Scuderia should replace him immediately, while teammate Charles Leclerc stormed to pole position.
A year later, the world looks completely different: Thanks to the regulation changes for the 2026 season and a car into which Hamilton’s own development work has flowed, the now 41-year-old is experiencing his own resurrection. With a season victory under his belt, he travels to Budapest as second in the world championship.
“I am extremely proud of everyone in the team – and I am certainly proud of myself for having pulled myself out of that deep hole,” Hamilton beams at the media appointments before the Hungarian weekend. The gap to leader Kimi Antonelli is currently 45 points.
Mysterious Docu-Teaser around Hungary 2025
At the same time, the seven-time world champion reflects on the turning point of his recent career. Hamilton hinted that the dramatic events behind the scenes of those dark Budapest days of 2025 will only fully come to light later.
“One day, when I make my documentary, I will tell you everything about that weekend [Hungary 2025] and what led to it,” the record winner of the Hungarian GP mysteriously promises. “But to come from there and return here… I am worlds away from where I was last year. For that, I am incredibly grateful.”
“I am very grateful for what we have developed as a team, how the puzzle pieces have moved and fit together. Now we come here with a great car, with a great overall package with which we can fight for victory.”
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Chance for a ninth Budapest victory?
Statistics clearly speak for Hamilton: He has already won the Hungarian Grand Prix eight times, and he also took his last pole position here in 2023. The Scuderia’s SF-26 has so far proven to be Mercedes’ sharpest challenger in 2026, celebrating two race victories in Barcelona and Silverstone in the first ten Grands Prix. The Hungaroring, with its slow to medium-speed corners, should theoretically suit the Red’s aerodynamic balance perfectly.
However, his teammate Charles Leclerc tempers the exuberant expectations. The Monegasque recalls the missed setup in Monaco, where Ferrari, despite being clear favorites, botched the weekend against the flawless Antonelli.
“Personally, I still expect Mercedes to be the benchmark,” Leclerc clarifies. “On a single qualifying lap, they will be very difficult to beat.”
Leclerc warns: Perfect execution is crucial
Nevertheless, the Monegasque also knows about the strengths of the current Ferrari package for the tightly winding traditional circuit just outside Budapest. “It’s true, of course, that this track should suit our car a little better on paper.”
“Every car has its strengths and weaknesses – and our strength probably lies in the balance through the corners and mechanical grip,” explains Leclerc. “On a track like this, that’s extremely important. So we might be a bit closer, but at the end of the day, it’s all about execution.”
The lesson from Monaco runs deep with the Reds: “If you’re slightly off with the setup, as we experienced in Monaco, you lose more than the track characteristics on a favorable circuit bring you. That’s exactly what we need to focus on.”
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