Lewis Hamilton keeps his title focus after Ferrari’s recent progress

Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari’s recent pace keeps him inside the championship contest. He begins Hungary as Kimi Antonelli’s closest points rival.

Hamilton has collected five podium finishes during his second Ferrari season. He also led Friday’s second practice in Hungary.

Ferrari arrive after two competitive weekends

Charles Leclerc won the British Grand Prix for Ferrari at Silverstone. Hamilton also finished on the podium during the same weekend.

The team remained competitive one week later at Spa-Francorchamps. Leclerc finished second after challenging near the front.

Hamilton believed Ferrari had enough speed for stronger results at both circuits. Execution prevented the team from taking every available chance.

Those performances followed a less consistent start. Ferrari have now shown race-winning pace.

Hamilton described the progress as small but important. He expects Mercedes to remain the main reference during the Budapest weekend.

The recent results changed the mood without settling the championship. Ferrari still needs repeated finishes near the front.

Hamilton holds second place in the standings

Antonelli leads the drivers’ championship after winning six of the opening ten races. Hamilton sits forty-five points behind the Mercedes driver.

Russell is another five points behind Hamilton in third place. The leading group therefore contains two Mercedes drivers and one Ferrari.

Hamilton has scored 159 points before the Hungarian Grand Prix. His total includes five podiums and one race victory.

The Barcelona win was his first Grand Prix success in Ferrari colours. It followed a difficult first season with the Italian team.

Hamilton made several working changes before the current campaign. He said those changes improved his connection with the car and team.

Those results place Hamilton second, although Antonelli still holds a large lead.

Budapest has often suited Hamilton

Hamilton has won eight Hungarian Grands Prix during his Formula 1 career. No other driver has more victories at this circuit.

He also holds the Hungaroring record with nine pole positions. Those results cover different teams and regulation periods.

Past success cannot decide the current weekend. It still gives Hamilton extensive experience around the fourteen-corner layout.

The circuit contains one main straight and many connected turns. A poor exit often affects several following corners.

Hamilton said Ferrari can compete without assuming an easy advantage. He expects small setup details to influence the final order.

Friday practice gave Ferrari time to assess its current car.

Hamilton led the second session ahead of Leclerc and Norris.

A cleaner weekend remains the immediate target

Hamilton reviewed his Belgian performance after finishing fourth. He felt that missed details reduced a more competitive opportunity.

His opening-lap contact with Russell also produced a time penalty. That incident added another complication to the afternoon.

The Hungary target began with avoiding those losses. Strong practice and qualifying sessions protect more of the car’s available pace.

Hamilton wants to improve his own weekend before discussing larger outcomes. That approach keeps attention on controllable work.

Ferrari’s second car provides another strong reference through Leclerc. Both drivers have reached recent podium positions.

A close comparison helps engineers understand the quickest setup direction. It also raises the standard inside the team.

The summer break follows the race

Hungary is the final Grand Prix before Formula 1’s summer shutdown. Factory work pauses during the mandatory break.

Eleven scheduled rounds remain after Budapest. Ferrari therefore has many races to improve its results.

Hamilton said Ferrari plans to continue improving throughout the second half.

The team has already won twice during the current season. Hamilton and Leclerc have each delivered one of those victories.

More regular wins would reduce Antonelli’s advantage over several weekends. A single result cannot remove the complete gap.

Ferrari entered Hungary aiming to place both cars near the front.

Recent circuits tested different strengths

Hamilton’s public confidence follows results rather than an untested forecast. Ferrari challenged at two circuits with different demands.

Silverstone rewarded high-speed balance in fast corners. Spa combined long straights with changes in elevation and weather.

The Hungaroring now provides a slower and more continuous sequence of corners.

Hamilton remains careful when discussing a favourite for victory. He points to Mercedes as the team that has won most often.

Hamilton entered Budapest second in the championship after five podiums and one victory.

Hamilton enters Hungary seeking a race without mistakes. Ferrari need another strong points result.

Qualifying position matters in Budapest

The Hungaroring has one main straight and few easy overtaking areas.

A strong qualifying lap can therefore protect a driver during the race.

Ferrari will compare both cars across the connected corner sequence.

Hamilton’s experience gives the team another detailed reference.