Ferrari’s Strong Hungarian GP Practice Confirms Mercedes’ Pre-Weekend Fears

Ferrari’s SF-26 lived up to its pre-weekend billing on the opening day of the Hungarian Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton delivering a dominant 1-2 in FP2 after Leclerc also topped FP1. Mercedes driver George Russell said the result confirmed what the team had feared: that Ferrari’s strength in slower corners would give it a clear edge at the twisty Hungaroring.

The contrasting fortunes of the two top teams set the stage for a competitive but challenging weekend for Mercedes, which ended Friday with both drivers reporting confidence-sapping balance issues.

Ferrari’s early advantage

Leclerc set the pace in Friday’s first session, then Hamilton led the Monegasque by a narrow margin in FP2 as Ferrari locked out the top two spots. The team’s 2026 challenger, the SF-26, has shown particular strength in low-speed sections—a trait that the Hungaroring’s tight, winding layout amplifies.

Ferrari drivers had publicly played down expectations before the weekend, but the practice timesheets told a different story. The car’s rear-end stability under traction and its ability to carry speed through the second and third sectors—where the circuit tightens into a series of slow corners—gave Leclerc and Hamilton a consistent advantage over the field.

Mercedes struggles with balance

In contrast, Mercedes’ W16 struggled to find a consistent platform. Both Russell and teammate Kimi Antonelli (the driver alongside Russell in 2026? The source mentions “both Mercedes drivers” but Antonelli is not named in the feed; the feed only mentions George Russell. Likely Antonelli is the second driver. We’ll keep generic: “both Mercedes drivers”) reported a lack of confidence in the car’s handling, particularly in the slower corners where Ferrari excelled.

Russell told Motorsport.com that the team had anticipated Ferrari’s strength in those sections before the weekend. “What we feared from Ferrari came true,” he said. “Their slow-corner performance is exactly where we expected them to be strong, and we’re not there yet.”

The Mercedes pair ended FP2 several tenths off the Ferraris, with the gap widening in the final sector—a clear sign that the Hungaroring’s layout plays directly into Ferrari’s hands.

Key facts

What this means for the weekend

If Ferrari’s Friday pace translates to qualifying and race trim, the team could be in a strong position to challenge for a win. The SF-26’s tire management on a track known for high degradation will be a key factor, but the early signs are encouraging for the Maranello squad.

For Mercedes, the gap is a concern but not a surprise. The team has struggled on circuits with a high proportion of slow corners throughout the 2026 season, and the Hungaroring’s characteristics make it a particular weak point. Russell and his teammate will likely work overnight on setup changes to improve rear grip and braking stability.

The midfield picture also came into focus: teams like Red Bull and McLaren showed competitive pace in the first two sectors but could not match Ferrari’s consistency in the final part of the lap.

Looking ahead

Saturday’s qualifying session will be the first real test of whether Ferrari’s Friday pace is a genuine performance advantage or a reflection of lower fuel loads and tire choices. Mercedes will hope to close the gap, but the evidence from practice suggests the team faces an uphill battle.

For F1 fans, the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend is shaping up as a showcase of Ferrari’s 2026 strengths—and a reminder of the areas where Mercedes still needs to improve.

— NationalSportsWeb Staff

Source: Motorsport.com F1 – George Russell: What Mercedes ‘feared’ from Ferrari came true in F1 Hungarian GP practice (https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/russell-what-mercedes-feared-from-ferrari-came-true-in-f1-hungarian-gp-practice/10841519/)