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Home Run Hunt

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Max Verstappen arrives at Red Bull’s home Austrian Grand Prix looking for a season reset, with the team bringing a major upgrade package to the Red Bull Ring this weekend.

The four-time world champion has not won since last year’s Abu Dhabi season finale. A strong result in Spielberg would help revive his title bid and give Red Bull a clearer read on whether its latest updates can address the performance issues that have slowed the team this season.

Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen takes part in the first practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya ahead of the Catalonia Formula One Grand Prix in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona on June 12, 2026. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO)

Verstappen has a strong record at the venue. He won the Austrian Grand Prix in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023, and also took the 2021 Styrian Grand Prix at the same circuit during the pandemic. No other driver has more than one Austrian Grand Prix victory.

“Austria is a home race for the team and it’s been great for me in the past,” Verstappen said. “We have good memories there. It’s an interesting challenge. All the corners are quite different so balance is really important.”

Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen is pictured in the box upon the third practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya ahead of the Catalonia Formula One Grand Prix in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona on June 13, 2026. (Photo by Josep LAGO)

He said the Red Bull Ring demands a car that works across different conditions, from high-speed sections to slower corners. Verstappen also pointed to traction, energy management and power deployment as key factors.

“We have a new package this weekend so I’m hoping we can be closer to where we want to be,” he said.

The short and fast circuit in the Styrian Alps is expected to produce close racing. It could also extend a run of changing fortunes in the championship after Lewis Hamilton ended Mercedes’ six-race winning streak with his first Ferrari victory in Spain.

Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen takes part in the third practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya ahead of the Catalonia Formula One Grand Prix in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona on June 13, 2026. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO)

Hamilton’s win in Catalunya was the 106th of his Formula One career and strengthened his bid for an eighth drivers’ title. He sits 41 points behind Mercedes teenager Kimi Antonelli, who remains on top of the standings despite recording his first retirement of the season in Spain.

Mercedes will also bring upgrades to Austria, where George Russell won in 2024. Ferrari is set to introduce an engine update as it targets a historic 250th Formula One victory.

McLaren is also expected to contend. Defending Austrian Grand Prix winner Lando Norris won from pole last year, while the team will test an experimental rear wing during Friday practice.

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Ogier hospitalized after Finland crash

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Nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia were taken to hospital after a high-speed crash while leading the Rally of Finland on Saturday.

Race winner Sebastien Ogier (R) of France chats with Toyota Gazoo Racing chairman Akio Toyoda (L) during the podium ceremony of the Rally Japan, the 13th round of the FIA World Rally Championships, in Toyota city, Aichi prefecture on November 9, 2025. (Photo by Toshifumi KITAMURA)

Ogier was traveling at around 130 kph when he lost control of his Toyota on a series of turns along a forest dirt road. The car rolled several times before hitting a tree.

Both men managed to get out of the vehicle without assistance before they were transported to a hospital in Tampere for precautionary examinations, according to the World Rally Championship.

Sebastien Ogier and his co-driver Vincent Landais of France drive their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1?during the SS19 Nukata section of the Rally Japan, the 13th round of the FIA World Rally Championships, in Toyota city, Aichi prefecture on November 9, 2025. (Photo by Toshifumi KITAMURA)

Toyota assistant team principal Juha Kankkunen said he had spoken with the crew following the accident.

“Seb was more shocked than anything else, nothing broken,” Kankkunen told Rally TV.

Ogier held a 20-second advantage when the crash ended his rally.

French driver Sebastien Ogier and his French co-driver Vincent Landais compete in their Toyota GR Yaris during stage 5 of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in Jeddah on November 27, 2025. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine)

The accident handed the lead to Toyota teammate Sami Pajari, who entered the final day 46 seconds ahead of Oliver Solberg. World championship leader Elfyn Evans was running third.

Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team’s French driver Sebastien Ogier and French co-driver Vincent Landais steer their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 during the last day of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in Jeddah on November 29, 2025. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine)

“There are still two long stages to do and anything can still happen,” Pajari said.

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Hungary turns up the heat

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McLaren’s first victory of the 2026 Formula One season showed that the championship fight is far from settled.

Lando Norris recovered from a poor opening lap to win the Hungarian Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The result also exposed costly mistakes at Ferrari and raised questions about whether Mercedes can maintain its early advantage after the summer break.

Here are three key takeaways from the Hungaroring.

Ferrari squanders a major opportunity

Ferrari appeared to have the fastest car on Friday, but Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton could only finish fourth and fifth.

Ferrari’s British driver Lewis Hamilton gives a thumbs up prior to the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC)

Leclerc lost ground with a poor start from second on the grid. Hamilton received a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, adding to an earlier sanction for impeding Oscar Piastri during qualifying.

Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc drives through the pits during the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC)

Ferrari’s choice of soft tires, pit-stop timing and a late stop during a virtual safety car period also hurt Hamilton’s race. Verstappen gained another place when Red Bull successfully used an undercut.

“It’s not a good Sunday when you were 1-2 on Friday,” Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said. “We made too many mistakes.”

Hamilton has now collected four penalties in three races. His latest sanction handed third place to Antonelli and left the seven-time champion 50 points behind the Italian after 11 of 23 rounds.

“You can’t make these kinds of mistakes if you want to challenge for a title,” Hamilton said.

Ferrari also trails Mercedes by 72 points in the constructors’ standings, making its missed opportunity in Hungary even more costly.

Norris proves the fight is not over

Norris delivered a controlled recovery after losing positions at the start. His pace and tire management helped him finish 15 seconds ahead of Verstappen for his first win of the year.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes Norris has become a more complete driver since winning last season’s championship.

McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris drives through the pits during the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC)

“Lando is much more confident,” Stella said. “He’s much more aware of the tools that he has in his driving and how to deploy these tools.”

The victory reduced Norris’ deficit to Antonelli to 91 points. That remains a considerable gap, but McLaren’s upgraded car could give the defending champion more chances during the second half of the season.

Hungary also suggested that Mercedes no longer enjoys the clear performance edge it held earlier in the year. McLaren has introduced the first of two major upgrade packages, while Red Bull remains close enough to take advantage when its rivals struggle.

Mercedes needs an answer

Antonelli extended his championship lead with third place, but the Italian admitted that Mercedes could not match Norris on outright pace.

“Lando had the upper hand this weekend, even on us,” Antonelli said. “On pure pace, I couldn’t challenge him.”

Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli stops in the pits for a tire change during the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC)

Mercedes endured a difficult weekend by its standards. George Russell suffered another technical problem, while team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that rival teams had narrowed the gap.

Antonelli now wants upgrades that can help Mercedes defend its advantage. Last season offers a warning, as Piastri once held a 34-point lead but failed to win the championship.

The summer break will give each team time to assess its next move. When racing resumes, development may prove as important as driving.

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Norris Strikes Back

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Budapest, Hungary | World champion Lando Norris recovered from a difficult opening lap to claim his first victory of the season in a commanding Hungarian Grand Prix performance for McLaren.

The 26-year-old Briton crossed the line 15 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to secure the 12th win of his Formula One career. Mercedes driver and championship leader Kimi Antonelli completed the podium.

McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris leaves the pits after a tire change during the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC)

Norris started from pole position but ran wide at Turn Two during a frantic opening lap, allowing McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to take the lead. Verstappen moved into second while Lewis Hamilton climbed to fourth after passing Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.

George Russell endured a disastrous start when his Mercedes entered anti-stall on the grid. He dropped from sixth to 20th as Antonelli moved up to sixth.

McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris gestures to celebrate after winning the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK)

Ferrari began the race on soft tires while most of the field chose mediums in scorching conditions. Air temperature reached 31 degrees Celsius, with the track measured at 51 degrees.

Hamilton began losing grip by Lap 10 and stopped four laps later in an attempt to undercut Verstappen. Red Bull responded on the next lap, but the Dutchman rejoined behind Hamilton before reclaiming the position with a move into Turn One.

McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris competes during the qualifying session at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, on July 25, 2026 ahead of the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)

The pit-stop cycle briefly placed Antonelli in front before Piastri resumed the lead ahead of Norris. McLaren brought the Australian in first after Norris requested a stop, leaving the Briton at the front by the halfway point.

Norris held a five-second advantage over Verstappen before making his second stop on Lap 40. He returned in third, ahead of Piastri, who had narrowly avoided a heavier collision with Carlos Sainz at Turn Two. The Williams driver received a five-second penalty for the incident.

Winner McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris reacts after the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Ferenc ISZA / AFP)

Antonelli inherited the lead after Verstappen stopped again, although Norris quickly closed the gap on fresher tires. The McLaren driver passed the young Italian at Turn One on Lap 46 and immediately began building a comfortable advantage.

McLaren’s hopes of another one-two finish disappeared when Piastri slowed with gearbox trouble and retired. His stoppage triggered a Virtual Safety Car, allowing Norris, Hamilton and Leclerc to switch to soft tires.

Norris controlled the closing laps to repeat his Hungaroring victory from the previous season. McLaren has now won the Hungarian Grand Prix for three consecutive years.

“The car was unbelievable today,” Norris said over team radio. “It’s probably the best pace I’ve ever had. This track is good for us.”

Verstappen described the result as unexpected after struggling with his Red Bull throughout the weekend.

“We had to work very hard for this,” he said after securing another podium finish.

Antonelli held off Hamilton to finish third and increase his championship advantage over the Ferrari driver to 50 points. Hamilton received a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane but retained fifth behind Leclerc.

Isack Hadjar placed sixth in the second Red Bull, followed by Russell and Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson. Nico Huelkenberg earned Audi’s first points of the season in ninth, while rookie Arvid Lindblad completed the top 10.

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