The Formula 1 circus heads to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before a four-week summer hiatus. Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old Mercedes driver, leads the drivers' standings with a 45-point advantage after his victory at Spa Francorchamps. The twisty, technical Hungaroring circuit may suit the young Italian, who aims to consolidate his championship lead.
Antonelli's dominance after Russell's crash at Spa
Last weekend in Belgium, Antonelli started from pole and claimed his sixth Grand Prix win of the season, while teammate George Russell crashed out on the opening lap in a collision with Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton recovered to fourth and is now second in the championship, five points ahead of Russell. Charles Leclerc sits fourth, 78 points behind, after being overtaken by Antonelli in the closing stages. Budapest offers Antonelli a chance to deliver a psychological blow to his rivals.
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Schedule and start times for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix
The race on Sunday starts at 3 p.m. local time (CEST). For U.S. viewers, the start is at 9 a.m. ET; for the U.K., at 2 p.m. BST; and for Australia, at 11 p.m. AEST. The 4.381 km circuit is known for limited overtaking opportunities and tire management. For those unable to watch live, check the Amazon Weekend Deals for discounts on Galaxy Z Fold 8 and more.
How to watch the Hungarian Grand Prix live stream
In the U.S., Apple TV has acquired F1 broadcasting rights for 2026; subscriptions start at $12.99/month with a 7-day free trial. In the U.K., Sky Sports offers coverage from £20/month, or a NOW Sports day pass at £14.99. Channel 4 airs free extended highlights on Sunday evening. In Canada, TSN provides coverage from CA$8/month. Travelers can use a VPN like NordVPN to access their home streaming services abroad; always check the platform's Terms and Conditions. For more on F1 technology, see Formula One on Wikipedia.
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The championship battle and Antonelli's future
At 19, Antonelli could become the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history. His 45-point cushion is comfortable, but the Hungaroring has often produced surprises. Mercedes focuses on strategy and tire management on a track that punishes overtaking. If Antonelli wins in Budapest, his lead could exceed 50 points, making a comeback nearly impossible in the second half of the season. For insights into other sports innovations, see our article on contagious cancer in fish.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/sports/watch-hungarian-grand-prix-2026-f1
