Martin Brundle believes McLaren’s victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix has completely reopened the 2026 Formula 1 championship, with 291 points still available across the remainder of the season. The Sky Sports F1 analyst believes the improvement shown by the MCL40 at the Hungaroring could have major consequences if McLaren can carry the same performance to other circuits.
Lando Norris delivered McLaren’s breakthrough victory in Hungary as the competitive order tightened between Formula 1’s leading teams. Writing in his Sky Sports F1 column after the race, Martin Brundle argued that the championship can no longer be considered settled if McLaren’s latest development step proves transferable.
Brundle says McLaren’s Hungary win has reopened the F1 title fight
McLaren’s success at the Hungaroring was the team’s 14th victory at the circuit, but the more significant detail for the remainder of 2026 was the improvement in the MCL40’s performance.
Mercedes had already taken note of the scale of McLaren’s latest development package, with the team surprised by the size of the MCL40 upgrade introduced in Hungary.
Martin Brundle believes the implications could extend well beyond a single weekend.
“If McLaren have made a decent upgrade step which translates well to other circuits, this was the team’s 14th Hungaroring victory, and with the top four ever closer, this championship is far from over.”
McLaren’s improvement was the result of a broader development process rather than one isolated component, with the team’s development programme helping deliver its Hungary breakthrough.
291 championship points remain available
Martin Brundle also highlighted the sheer number of points still available during the second half of the season. The championship remains open mathematically, particularly if the leading teams continue to take points from one another.
“There are still 291 points available assuming all the remaining races take place given the Middle East conflict.”
The uncertainty surrounding the final part of the calendar adds another variable to the championship equation. Qatar and Abu Dhabi are currently scheduled to host the final two rounds, but the continuing conflict in the Middle East has prompted consideration of contingency options should either event become impossible to stage.
That uncertainty makes every result increasingly significant as the leading drivers continue their championship battle, with the latest positions available in the 2026 Formula 1 driver standings.
Bahrain Grand Prix moves to Sepang in Malaysia
Formula 1 has already demonstrated its willingness to adapt the calendar. The Bahrain Grand Prix, which could not take place at its original venue, will instead be staged at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit in October.
Martin Brundle praised Formula 1 and its partners for finding an alternative solution.
“On that subject, the Bahrain GP will now be run at the very popular Sepang circuit in Malaysia. This is the same impressive lateral thinking and flexibility F1 and its partners showed during the pandemic and I applaud it.”
Formula 1 and the FIA confirmed that Sepang will host the Bahrain Grand Prix on the weekend of October 2-4, bringing the Malaysian circuit back onto the championship schedule in unusual circumstances. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
European replacement race could become necessary
Martin Brundle also addressed what could happen if the Qatar or Abu Dhabi Grands Prix cannot go ahead. According to the former Formula 1 driver, a replacement European event could potentially be held in late November or early December.
“It sounds as if there will definitely be a European replacement race in late November or early December if Qatar and Abu Dhabi can’t take place. We may need to fit some headlights and wipers for that race but the teams and drivers will handle it in their stride as usual.”
The possibility remains a contingency rather than a confirmed calendar change. The official Formula 1 schedule continues to list Qatar for November 27-29, followed by Abu Dhabi on December 4-6, while Brundle’s comments reflect the contingency planning being discussed in case circumstances change. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
McLaren faces its next test after the summer break
Before those late-season questions are resolved, McLaren must demonstrate that its Hungarian performance was not circuit-specific. The key issue will be whether the MCL40 can reproduce the same step across circuits with very different aerodynamic and mechanical demands.
Brundle’s assessment underlines why the second half of 2026 could look significantly different from the first. If McLaren remains competitive while Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull continue fighting at the front, points could be distributed between several teams rather than dominated by one clear force.
Formula 1 returns after the summer shutdown with the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort from August 21-23. It will be the first opportunity to discover whether McLaren’s Hungary breakthrough represents a lasting change in the competitive order or simply an exceptional weekend at one of its most successful circuits.
For Martin Brundle, however, the message heading into the break is already clear: with McLaren improving, the four leading teams moving closer together and 291 points still potentially available, the 2026 Formula 1 championship is far from decided.
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