2026 Hungarian GP: Ferrari pace, Aston upgrade watch

Reports from Friday in Hungary pointed to Ferrari pace, while Aston Martin’s new AMR26 package drew cautious optimism and an early setback.

Reports from Friday at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix pointed to Ferrari at the front. BBC Sport reported Lewis Hamilton headed Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari one-two across Friday practice, while Autosport reported Leclerc was fastest in FP1, more than four tenths clear of Max Verstappen in that session. Hamilton arrived in Hungary second in the drivers' championship on 169 points, with Leclerc fourth on 138.

Aston Martin’s upgrade package also drew attention. BBC Sport reported Fernando Alonso said he was optimistic about the changes introduced for Hungary, and Autosport reported the team was encouraged by the first signs from the upgraded AMR26. The same outlet said Lance Stroll lost track time after a suspected suspension failure in FP1 and then missed FP2 because the car could not be repaired in time.

Autosport also reported Adrian Newey viewed the Hungaroring package as the first part of Aston Martin’s new-car direction rather than a complete answer. Alonso, 19th in the standings on one point before the weekend, was also reported by Autosport to see the team’s qualifying step in Hungary as an important lift in a difficult 2026 campaign.