The Hungarian Grand Prix dealt a significant blow to Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 championship hopes as both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc struggled badly during the race weekend. Despite Leclerc’s strong start from pole position, he finished off the podium and dropped to fifth in the driver standings, while Hamilton failed to score any points, raising serious concerns for the Italian team’s title ambitions.
Race Performances Highlight Ferrari’s Struggles Against Mercedes
Charles Leclerc initially looked poised to challenge for a top finish but ultimately lost third place to Mercedes’ George Russell, who gained crucial points in Hungary. Leclerc also received a five-second penalty for erratic driving, compounding Ferrari’s problems. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton endured a particularly difficult race, unable to recover into the top 10 and going off track while battling Max Verstappen. Kimi Antonelli managed to secure the last point for Mercedes, further increasing the pressure on Ferrari’s drivers.
The combined efforts of Hamilton and Russell saw Mercedes outscore Ferrari this weekend, narrowing the championship gap to just 24 points. With the summer break approaching, Ferrari’s future performance is now under increased scrutiny as they must regroup quickly to avoid falling further behind in the constructors’ championship.
Current Standings Show Ferrari Losing Ground
After the Hungarian GP, McLaren leads both the drivers‘ and constructors’ championships, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris holding first and second places respectively. Max Verstappen, George Russell, and Charles Leclerc follow, but Ferrari’s Leclerc sits five points behind Russell, and Hamilton trails significantly with 109 points. In the constructors’ chart, McLaren tops with 559 points, while Ferrari remains in second with 260, just ahead of Mercedes on 236 points.
Important Rule Change Alters Race Dynamics in 2025
The 2025 season introduced a notable change by removing the fastest lap point from the championship scoring system. Previously, drivers finishing in the top 10 could earn an additional point for the fastest lap, which sometimes led to strategic tire changes late in races to claim this bonus. This often influenced championship outcomes, evidenced last season when Daniel Ricciardo, despite finishing last, secured the fastest lap and an extra point during the Singapore GP, impacting Lando Norris and Max Verstappen’s title fight.
Implications for Ferrari’s Title Hopes Moving Forward
Ferrari’s disappointing results in Hungary highlight vulnerabilities that could jeopardize their 2025 F1 title campaign if improvements are not made quickly. With Mercedes closing the gap and McLaren maintaining strong momentum, the pressure will mount on Ferrari’s drivers and management. Lewis Hamilton’s poor performance, in particular, raises questions about Ferrari’s ability to contend seriously for the championship.
“F1 recommends to observe the investigation thoroughly before making any conclusions.” —Max Verstappen, Driver
“I am extremely disappointed with how the race weekend unfolded. It’s not what we expected.” —Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Driver
“Every point counts in the championship; we need to stay focused and come back stronger.” —Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Driver