As the 2025 F1 Hungarian GP approaches, Lando Norris remains determined to close the 16-point gap to his McLaren teammate and championship leader, Oscar Piastri. Despite recent inconsistent performances, Norris has a proven ability to respond swiftly to setbacks, positioning himself as a key contender in this intense title battle.

Historical precedent supports Norris’s belief in a comeback; drivers like Kimi Raikkonen (2007), Sebastian Vettel (2010, 2012), and Lewis Hamilton (2014) have all overcome deficits larger than 16 points after 13 rounds to claim the world championship. Norris’s recent form also demonstrates this resilience: after falling 22 points behind Piastri following a poor race in Montreal, he bounced back by winning in Austria and Britain, cutting the deficit to just eight points. With a second-place finish behind Piastri at Spa, Norris is motivated to strike back at Hungary, where he was close to triumphing last year before a strategic error by McLaren cost him the win.

Mercedes faces critical phase as mid-season struggles persist

Mercedes has experienced a pronounced slump this season, taking four podiums with George Russell in the first six races, but securing only one more—including a single win in Canada—across the following seven rounds. Russell is set to lead a key internal meeting with the team’s engineering leadership to address the concerning decline in performance.

Mercedes’s difficulties echo last year’s pattern, where a mid-season upgrade failed to deliver, forcing the team to revert to older car specifications. This time, the issues may stem from the newly introduced rear suspension tested at Imola or adjustments to front-wing deflection regulations implemented starting in Spain. These changes have coincided with a notable drop in competitiveness.

Russell commented from Spa on the performance challenges:

“Obviously, we had the change of the front wing in Barcelona,

”

and added,

“And clearly, since that point, we’ve taken a big step backwards. So, it could be as simple as just reverting back to something that we had earlier in the season. Of course, you can’t do that with the front wing, but in terms of the rest of the set-up. But I don’t know, it seems quite strange how we’ve gone so far backwards.”

These remarks highlight the team’s struggle to optimize aerodynamic development tools and point to the possibility of reverting to earlier setups to regain lost ground.

Mid-season upgrades poised to reshape competitive order

As F1 teams enter the final phase before the annual summer break, numerous squads have introduced upgrades aimed at maximizing their 2025 campaign outcomes. Unlike other seasons, the looming 2026 regulation overhaul means teams must carefully allocate resources, emphasizing immediate gains before shifting focus to the future rules.

Recent upgrades debuted in Belgium and are expected to be tested again at Hungary, despite disruptive weather conditions at Spa. McLaren continues to lead the pack with its development, though its latest low-downforce wing may provide limited advantage in Hungary’s circuit layout. Ferrari’s revamped suspension has yet to translate into a narrower gap to the front runners, while Mercedes’s lack of progress remains a concern.

Red Bull Racing has unveiled new aerodynamic parts, signaling an intent to remain competitive in 2025 despite earlier challenges. Furthermore, midfield contenders like Aston Martin and Racing Bulls have introduced upgrades designed to intensify competition, with four teams now separated by mere points. The outcome of these enhancements could either trigger mid-season turnarounds or lead some teams to prematurely abandon hopes for a strong championship finish this year.

Verstappen’s future at Red Bull hinges on long-term commitment strategies

Max Verstappen is expected to stay at Red Bull for the 2026 season, with contractual clauses and his public statements reinforcing this outlook. Currently positioned in the top three of the drivers’ championship, Verstappen continues to fulfill performance criteria tied to his contract extension options. Meanwhile, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed efforts to retain George Russell and rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli as part of their long-term plans.

The ongoing negotiations mark the beginning of Red Bull’s efforts to secure Verstappen’s loyalty beyond 2026. Now led by new team principal Laurent Mekies, the Milton Keynes-based outfit faces the challenge of convincing the four-time world champion to remain as the sport transitions to the next generation of grand prix racing. Verstappen’s evaluation of competing teams will influence his future decisions, with all teams except McLaren being potential options. Red Bull’s management must therefore demonstrate results and commitment starting at the Hungarian GP to avoid the driver reconsidering his long-term place.