The Mercedes star responded in style after a slight dip in form, holding off Charles Leclerc at Spa-Francorchamps to claim a crucial win and extend his championship advantage to 55 points. With the summer break just around the corner, Antonelli will be eager to secure another victory and head into the hiatus with maximum momentum.
If you’re planning to bet on Formula 1 this weekend, here’s our Hungarian Grand Prix betting preview, race analysis, and best betting tips for Bet.co.za.
Belgian Grand Prix Recap
Antonelli delivered under pressure in Belgium, producing a composed drive to keep Leclerc behind and strengthen his title charge.
Max Verstappen completed the podium after making a flying start and leading the opening stages, although the Red Bull driver couldn’t match the race pace of Mercedes and Ferrari over the full distance.
George Russell endured a race to forget after contact with both Ferraris forced the Mercedes driver into retirement. Lewis Hamilton recovered to finish fourth despite the incident.
Oscar Piastri crossed the line in fifth, while Isack Hadjar continued his impressive rookie campaign by climbing from the back of the grid to finish sixth.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris recovered from 13th on the grid to finish seventh, while Gabriel Bortoleto claimed another eighth-place finish. Arvid Lindblad added more valuable points in ninth, with Franco Colapinto rounding out the top ten.
Hungarian Grand Prix Track Guide
The Hungaroring, located in Mogyoród just outside Budapest, is one of Formula 1’s most technical circuits. Built in just over eight months during the Cold War, the venue remains one of the most unique stops on the F1 calendar.
The circuit features:
- 70 laps
- 4.381km lap length
- Total race distance of 306.63km
- 14 corners
- Two DRS zones
Recent upgrades have modernised the venue, including new grandstands and improved paddock facilities, while the circuit layout remains largely unchanged.
Weather forecasts suggest there is a possibility of rain during Sunday’s race, adding another layer of intrigue for bettors.
Drivers to Watch
Kimi Antonelli – 2.625
Antonelli heads into Hungary full of confidence after his Spa victory. The Mercedes youngster showed excellent racecraft under pressure, particularly following the late Safety Car restart, making him the driver to beat this weekend.
Max Verstappen – 9.00
Verstappen has an outstanding record at the Hungaroring, winning in both 2022 and 2023 while finishing runner-up in 2019 and 2020. After returning to the podium in Belgium, the Red Bull star looks well placed to challenge once again.
Lando Norris – 11.00
Although McLaren hasn’t dominated in recent races, Norris remains a genuine contender after last year’s victory at the Hungaroring. If qualifying goes his way, he could be a major threat.
Hungarian Grand Prix Betting Tips
Race Winner
Kimi Antonelli – 1.30
Antonelli looks capable of making it back-to-back victories. His confidence is high, Mercedes has found strong race pace, and another win would put him in an even stronger championship position before the summer break.
Best Value Bet
Max Verstappen – Top 3 Finish (Yes) – 2.50
Verstappen’s history at the Hungaroring speaks for itself. Combined with his improved showing in Belgium, a podium finish represents excellent value for Formula 1 bettors this weekend.
Verdict
Antonelli enters the Hungarian Grand Prix as the man to beat after reclaiming his best form in Belgium. However, Verstappen’s exceptional record at the Hungaroring and the threat posed by Ferrari and McLaren should make for another fascinating battle.
For punters on Bet.co.za, backing Kimi Antonelli to win and Max Verstappen to finish on the podium stand out as the strongest Formula 1 betting selections for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The championship top three after Spa 🇧🇪
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 21, 2026
↔️ Kimi
⬆️ Lewis
⬇️ George #F1 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/q9NHEQuvUx

