Formula 1 championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli expects Ferrari and McLaren to pose a major threat to Mercedes at the Hungarian Grand Prix, despite arriving at the Hungaroring with renewed confidence after his victory at Spa-Francorchamps. The Italian believes both rival teams will be fighting at the front after introducing important upgrades for the Budapest weekend.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli heads into the Hungarian Grand Prix determined to continue his strong run of form. The young Mercedes driver is preparing for the 11th round of the championship, which will be the final race before Formula 1’s summer break. The season will resume at the end of August with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Kimi Antonelli leads the championship before the Hungarian GP
The 2006-born driver sits at the top of the Formula 1 drivers’ standings with 204 points. Lewis Hamilton is second on 159, while Mercedes team-mate George Russell occupies third place with 154 after failing to score in Belgium.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has no intention of slowing down and is aiming to confirm his competitiveness at the Hungaroring, where Mercedes will seek to maximise every available opportunity. The team arrives in Budapest believing the Mercedes W17 can challenge Ferrari around the technical Hungarian circuit.
Kimi Antonelli wary of Ferrari and McLaren upgrades
Speaking calmly to Sky Sport, Andrea Kimi Antonelli explained that Mercedes cannot underestimate the efforts of its closest rivals.
“Our rivals will do everything they can to make things difficult for us,” Andrea Kimi Antonelli said. “Ferrari has brought an important rear-wing upgrade, while McLaren has brought a new floor, so they will certainly be up there fighting for victory.”
Ferrari is preparing to introduce its delayed SF-26 ‘Macarena’ rear-wing update in Hungary, while McLaren has also arrived with a significant development package. The latter includes a new MCL40 floor and flexible rear wing as the team attempts to strengthen its challenge at the front.
Mercedes confidence remains high at the Hungaroring
Andrea Kimi Antonelli then assessed the Hungarian round and expressed confidence that Mercedes can remain competitive, provided the team finds the correct set-up for the circuit.
“It will not be easy, but as always we will try to do our best and maximise the result,” Andrea Kimi Antonelli said. “The track? I like it. It is technical, and we start with the feeling that we can do well here too.
“The car has performed well at every circuit and in every condition, so if we find the right set-up, we will be up there at the front.”
His comments reflect a measured but confident approach to the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Andrea Kimi Antonelli is avoiding bold predictions, but the championship leader is fully aware of both his own ability and the potential of the Mercedes W17 as he prepares to defend his advantage before the summer break.
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