The Mercedes phenom Kimi Antonelli remains the standard-bearer this season, with a 45-point cushion to the second-placed Hamilton.
The Briton is intent on trimming Antonelli’s advantage this weekend, though, after setting the pace through practice. Budapest is a happy hunting ground for Hamilton, who has won here a remarkable eight times, but he has to settle for a second-place start on Sunday after being pipped by Lando Norris.
His primary goal now is to prevent Antonelli running away with the title, though a slip-up could easily see him usurped in the standings by his countryman George Russell. Now seems the perfect time for a statement result, with this race the last before a four-week summer break.
Further down the order, Aston Martin remain well off the pace despite bringing a considerable upgrade package into this race. Technical gremlins hit Lance Stroll in the form of collapsed rear suspension, ruling him out of second practice, while the veteran Fernando Alonso was almost three full seconds off the pace in second practice.
Lewis Hamilton has had a corner named after him at the Hungaroring
PA
When is the Hungarian Grand Prix?
The race will get underway at 2pm BST.
Hungarian Grand Prix grid positions
1) Lando Norris, McLaren (1:17.207)
2) Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
3) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
4) Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
5) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
6) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
7) George Russell, Mercedes
8) Isack Hadjar, Red Bull
9) Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
10) Nico Hulkenberg, Audi
11) Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
13) Franco Colapinto, Alpine
14) Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi
16) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
18) Carlos Sainz, Williams
19) Alexander Albon, Williams
20) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
21) Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac
22) Sergio Perez, Cadillac
Rough day at the office: Lance Stroll’s rear suspension collapsed in FP1
Getty
How to watch the Hungarian Grand Prix
TV channel: In the UK, the race will be televised live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage starting at 1pm BST ahead of a 2pm race start.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.
Hungarian Grand Prix weather forecast
Conditions on race day are expected to be warm and dry, with a high temperature of 31C and a low of 18C.
Come lights out at 3pm local time, the day will be at its hottest and will cool down ever so slightly as the race wears on.
It might have rained in London today for the first time in a month, but none is expected in Budapest, with partly cloudy conditions forecast throughout Sunday.
