Ferrari on ‘high alert’ to likely Hungarian GP ‘pitfalls’ costing Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc

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Ferrari head into the 2026 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix weekend with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc seen as the big favourites, yet Fred Vasseur will not get carried away.

Vasseur and Ferrari are well aware that this week’s Hungarian GP might not prove to be the dream affair that the Maranello natives are expected to enjoy on the outskirts of Budapest. So, team principal Vasseur has sought to stress that the SF-26 is “no guarantee” of success.

Many believe the SF-26 will be perfect for the demands of the Hungaroring, as the pride of Italy arguably have the best chassis on the 2026 F1 grid and boast high levels of downforce. The SF-26’s inherent strengths should blend perfectly with the tight and twisty Hungaroring.

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Ferrari are on ‘high alert’ to the hot conditions at the Hungarian Grand Prix destroying their tyres

Ferrari will debut an aggressive rear wing update in Hungary, as well, after taking inspiration from the small flaps on the trailing edges of Mercedes’ rear wing. The Maranello team hope it can further increase their downforce levels for the Hungaroring’s medium-speed corners.

READ MORE: How to watch the 2026 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix, plus the weather forecast

Yet while the Hungaroring’s absence of long straights will also help Ferrari, Automoto.it has revealed that the Scuderia are on ‘high alert’ to the ‘pitfalls’ of tyre management and track conditions. Scorching temperatures are forecast for the Hungarian GP, for which Pirelli even nominated the three softest compounds in its 2026 F1 tyre range – the C3, C4 and C5 tyres.

Ferrari are wary that Hamilton and Leclerc could encounter problems if they fail to manage their tyre temperatures adequately, especially given the Hungaroring has not resurfaced all of the track ahead of the 2026 Hungarian GP. Just Turn 1 and Turn 12 have been resurfaced.

So, the Hungaroring’s asphalt will largely continue to be quite rough, and the hot conditions forecast for the Hungarian GP will make thermal degradation a greater cause for concern for Ferrari. The rear Pirelli tyres are especially prone to strain due to the low-speed corner exits.

READ MORE: Experts predict the 2026 Hungarian GP, including Lewis Hamilton’s chances

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Also, tyre graining is considered likely, particularly with the softer compounds, so the teams are expected to favour the medium C4 and hard C3 compounds for Sunday’s Hungarian GP. All teams could even face an ‘extremely’ close decision between one or two stop strategies.

The pre-event forecast for the Hungarian GP suggests Sunday’s race could take place in the hottest conditions that the teams should expect at the circuit on the outskirts of Budapest.

Temperatures are now expected to peak at 32°C, and the track temperature could even hit 50°C – fuelling Ferrari’s fears and Vasseur’s attempts to play down any lofty expectations.

Practice on Friday should at least help Ferrari to gain a reasonable understanding about how Pirelli’s tyres might behave in the heat at the Hungarian GP. The conditions are now forecast to reach highs of 26°C this Friday, leading to track temperatures of highs of circa 40-45°C.