Formula 1 arrives at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the 14th round of the 2025 season, this Sunday, August 3, at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest. The race, starting at 10 a.m. Brasília time, features Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc on pole position, followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto, from Sauber, stunned by securing seventh on the grid, his career-best position. The race will be broadcast live on Band, Bandsports, and F1TV Pro, with real-time coverage on ge.globo. As the final race before the summer break, it could be impacted by rain, demanding sharp strategies from teams. The event promises excitement with Bortoleto’s rise and the tight battle among McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull.
The 4.381 km Hungaroring, with 14 corners, is notorious for its overtaking challenges, making the starting grid critical. Leclerc secured pole with a 1m15s372 lap, edging out McLaren, which dominated free practice. Bortoleto, in his debut season, reached Q3, outpacing Max Verstappen.
- Key highlights of the round:
- Charles Leclerc takes pole, followed by Piastri and Norris.
- Gabriel Bortoleto, from Sauber, grabs seventh on the grid.
- Race starts at 10 a.m., broadcast on Band and F1TV Pro.
- Rain forecast could shake up strategies at Hungaroring.
Leclerc’s pole stuns at Hungaroring
Charles Leclerc clinched Ferrari’s first pole of 2025 with a 1m15s372 lap during Saturday’s qualifying. The Monegasque driver outshone McLaren’s duo, who led free practice with sub-1m15s times. Oscar Piastri, championship leader with 266 points, starts second, just 0.026s behind Leclerc, while Lando Norris completes the top three. Ferrari’s aerodynamic upgrades for Hungaroring gave Leclerc an edge in slow corners.
The grid showcases the season’s competitiveness. George Russell (Mercedes) qualified fourth, followed by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Gabriel Bortoleto’s 1m15s725 lap secured seventh, ahead of Max Verstappen in eighth. Lewis Hamilton, with a record eight Hungaroring wins, struggled, starting 12th after a Q2 exit. Sauber, Bortoleto’s team, showed progress but still trails the leaders.
Bortoleto shines in historic qualifying
At 21, Gabriel Bortoleto achieved his best Formula 1 starting position with seventh place at the Hungarian GP. The Brazilian, who scored points in Austria and Belgium, outperformed veterans like Verstappen and Hamilton. His Q3 lap on soft tires showcased precision on Hungaroring’s technical layout. Bortoleto, who replaced Fernando Alonso in FP1, credited his junior category experience for the result.
- Bortoleto’s standout moments:
- Third Q3 appearance in 2025, with a 1m15s725 lap.
- Outqualified Verstappen (8th) and Hamilton (12th).
- Sauber’s upgrades improved traction in slow corners.
- Brazilian is a rumored pick for Cadillac in 2026.
Bortoleto said he felt more comfortable with the car after Saturday’s tweaks. His performance bolsters the potential of young drivers in F1, especially on a track where precision is key. International media praised the feat, drawing parallels to Felipe Massa’s past heroics.
The starting grid for Sunday's race 👀
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 2, 2025
Don't miss this one! #F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/NCLlzro8Gc
Race times and live broadcast
The Hungarian GP will have extensive coverage in Brazil. The main race, on Sunday, starts at 10 a.m. and will be shown live on Band (free-to-air), Bandsports (cable), and F1TV Pro (streaming). F1TV offers onboard cameras and real-time telemetry, with subscriptions starting at $5.19/month. The weekend also features Formula 2 (5 a.m.) and Formula 3 (3:30 a.m.) races, aired on Bandsports. Motorsport.com’s YouTube channel complements coverage with post-race analysis on the “Podium” show.
- Sunday’s full schedule:
- 3:30 a.m.: Formula 3 Race 2 (Bandsports, F1TV Pro).
- 5:00 a.m.: Formula 2 Race 2 (Bandsports, F1TV Pro).
- 10:00 a.m.: Hungarian GP F1 race (Band, Bandsports, F1TV Pro).
- Post-race: “Podium” show on Motorsport.com’s YouTube.
BandNews FM and Rádio Bandeirantes will also provide live race updates with expert commentary, ensuring fans catch every detail of the weekend.
Weather forecast and strategies
Sunday’s weather forecast predicts a 60% chance of rain in the afternoon, with temperatures between 20°C and 29°C and winds up to 8 km/h. Hungaroring’s abrasive track surface increases tire wear, and potential rain could force teams to switch to intermediate or wet tires. McLaren, with a car suited to the track, is favored in dry conditions, but Ferrari could capitalize on wet weather.
- Strategic factors for the race:
- Afternoon rain may require quick tire changes.
- Soft and medium compounds are the go-to choices for the track.
- Hungaroring rewards clean starts due to overtaking challenges.
- Ferrari and Red Bull upgrades will face real-world tests.
Red Bull, struggling with consistency, is banking on last-minute tweaks to boost Verstappen’s pace. Sauber, with Bortoleto, aims for conservative strategies to secure points.
Hungaroring: a challenging circuit
The Hungaroring, with its 4.381 km layout and 14 corners, is one of the calendar’s toughest tracks. Hosting F1 since 1986, it has seen iconic wins by Nelson Piquet (1986, 1987), Ayrton Senna (1988), and Rubens Barrichello (2002). Lewis Hamilton holds the record with eight wins and nine poles, but his Q2 exit signals struggles for 2025.
- Hungaroring’s key features:
- 4.381 km track with 14 corners and high aerodynamic demands.
- Abrasive surface accelerates tire wear.
- DRS on the main straight is the primary overtaking zone.
- Fastest lap: 1m16s627, set by Hamilton in 2020.
Sunday’s race will be pivotal, as teams test upgrades before the summer break. McLaren leads the Constructors’ Championship, followed by Mercedes and Ferrari, while Red Bull aims to reverse its performance dip.
