Constructor standings ahead of Hungarian GP
From a lead of more than 100 points, Mercedes are getting pegged back in the constructors’ championship:
6. Racing Bulls – 61 points
10. Aston Martin – 1 point
Will Castle26 July 2026 13:22
Driver standings as Antonelli leads by 45 points
We know for sure that Antonelli will head into the summer break in front; but will he have an even bigger lead?
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 204 points
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 159 points
3. George Russell (Mercedes) – 154 points
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 126 points
5. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 103 points
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 92 points
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 91 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 60 points
9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 42 points
10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 39 points
Will Castle26 July 2026 13:19
Hamilton and Antonelli hit with grid penalties
Lewis Hamilton was dealt a blow in his bid for a record eighth world championship after he was demoted to fifth on the grid for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton was served a setback after just missing out on pole as he was sanctioned with a three-place grid drop over 90 minutes after the end of qualifying.
The seven-time world champion was deemed guilty of blocking Oscar Piastri at the opening corner as the McLaren driver geared up for a quick lap. Ferrari failed to tell Hamilton about the oncoming Piastri and the mistake could be costly in the 41-year-old’s title tilt.
However in a subsequent twist, championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who Hamilton trails by 45 points, was also served with a three-place grid penalty on the charge of failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags following Max Verstappen’s last-corner spin.
He will line up from seventh, two places behind Hamilton.
Will Castle26 July 2026 13:16
Full qualifying results as Norris takes pole
Will Castle26 July 2026 13:13
When does the Hungarian GP start?
The Hungarian Grand Prix kicks off at 2pm today at the Hungaroring.

Will Castle26 July 2026 13:10
Good afternoon!
Hello there and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Lando Norris starts on pole after beating title-chasing Lewis Hamilton in qualifying by just 0.012 seconds, though the Ferrari driver was demoted to fifth after being hit with a grid penalty.
In a subsequent twist, championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who Hamilton trails by 45 points, was also served with a three-place grid penalty on the charge of failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags following Max Verstappen’s last-corner spin.
We’ll have all the action from the Hungaroring, right here.
Will Castle26 July 2026 13:06



