Mercedes
Mercedes had a very good race, their automobile trying a lot better as situations began to chill. Russell was opportunistic at the beginning, choosing off a sluggish Norris to run third. Like Leclerc and Piastri, he two-stopped and located himself out of the rostrum locations because of this. However he chased down and picked off Leclerc with a late-braking transfer into Flip 1, the duo coming near contact. That bagged Russell his first podium since Canada, and Antonelli made it two vehicles within the factors for the Silver Arrows. He battled from P15 on the grid to tenth regardless of the Hungaroring being notoriously troublesome to overhaul at, making his arduous tyres final a staggering 48 laps.
George Russell, third
“It’s nice to be again on the rostrum. We’ve taken a step ahead with the automobile this weekend, so it’s a deserved reward for the arduous work of everybody at Brackley and Brixworth. It seemed like we had been on for a lonely P4, however we closed on Leclerc within the closing phases. The overtake itself was slightly dicey; I dedicated to the nook, and he clearly moved beneath braking, for which he was given a penalty. Fortunately there was no hurt achieved and we had been in a position to take P3.
“This end result offers us encouragement heading into the summer time break and we will look ahead to the ultimate 10 races of the 12 months now with extra confidence. We are able to’t get carried away as we didn’t anticipate to be within the high three this weekend. We all know the aggressive order behind McLaren is tight and we’ll must be at our greatest to battle for podiums persistently within the second half of the season.”
Kimi Antonelli, tenth
“That closing stint was a really lengthy one. It felt unending! I did near 50 laps on that Laborious tyre and by the tip, I used to be simply hanging on out of the ultimate nook every lap and defending into flip one. The vehicles behind had superior grip however I used to be in a position to preserve them behind. It felt nice to get that closing level as our tempo in free air was good. If I can begin nearer the entrance after the summer time break, then I do know we will battle for good factors every weekend.
“I’m actually pleased that my confidence within the automobile has come again this weekend. I depart Budapest feeling far more snug after shifting again to the earlier rear suspension. Yesterday’s qualifying was only a disgrace because the tempo was clearly there. We are able to take this sense into the second half of the season and look ahead to it with optimism now.”
Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“This has been a constructive weekend for the crew right here in Hungary. We reverted on the rear suspension specification and that helped present a way more secure and balanced automobile for the drivers. They’d extra confidence in it and that was mirrored of their tempo. It was strong all through and that helped George rating a well-deserved podium and put Kimi ready to carry off a number of vehicles for a degree, regardless of being on practically 50 lap previous tyres.
“This end result and our general efficiency right here on the Hungaroring give us a route for the remainder of the season. As our focus turns to 2026, we gained’t have any extra main aerodynamic upgrades to convey to the observe. However, there are refinements we will make as we glance to optimise the automobile now we have. That can be helpful as we glance to finish 2025 in a constructive method and battle for second within the Constructors’ Championship over these closing 10 races of the 12 months.”
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
“We depart the Hungaroring happy with a strong end result and inspired by the advance now we have seen with the W16. George, beginning P4, fought arduous with Norris all through the primary two stints, exhibiting good tempo all through. The McLaren was finally in a position to make the one cease work and with it, take victory. George’s pace although helped us shut down the Ferrari of Leclerc and decide him off for P3 and the rostrum within the closing phases.
“With Kimi, the primary half of the race was irritating as he was caught in a practice of vehicles all on completely different compounds. We opted to cease him to say some free air, however he quickly discovered himself again within the pack. It’s to his nice credit score that by extending on the Laborious tyre he opened the potential for claiming the ultimate level in P10. Some intelligent driving on close to 50 lap previous tyres held off Hadjar and Hamilton in what was a formidable closing stint.
“We now head into the obligatory summer time shutdown interval. Once we return after the break, we can be seeking to optimise the W16 and construct on this confidence constructing weekend after we return in Zandvoort. There are nonetheless 10 races to go, and we wish to finish the season on a excessive. We’re additionally in a battle for second within the Constructors’ Championship and we can be doing every little thing we will to say this by the season finale in Abu Dhabi.”
