The third part of the 2026 Formula 1 season brought a mixture of promising performances, frustrating setbacks and important podium finishes for Scuderia Ferrari HP. After celebrating victories with Lewis Hamilton in Barcelona and Charles Leclerc at Silverstone, Ferrari entered the next stage of the championship hoping to maintain its momentum and challenge Mercedes more consistently.
Photography: Scuderia Ferrari
Race 11: Hungarian Grand Prix at Hungaroring, Budapest
July 24 to 26. Ferrari arrived at the Hungaroring looking to build on its strong performance in Belgium. The tight and technical circuit presented a different challenge from Spa Francorchamps, with its slower corners placing greater importance on mechanical grip, tyre management and maintaining a consistent rhythm throughout the lap.
The weekend ultimately proved more difficult than Ferrari had hoped. Although the SF 26 remained competitive, McLaren emerged as the stronger team on race day, with Lando Norris taking victory after 70 laps.
Leclerc finished fourth, securing 12 championship points, while Hamilton, who crossed the line fourth but received a five-second penalty for pit lane speeding, was classified fifth to add another ten. Although neither driver reached the podium, Ferrari collected 22 points and maintained its position among the leading teams.
Race 12: Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort
August 21 to 23. Formula 1 returned from its summer break at Zandvoort, where the narrow circuit, banked corners and limited overtaking opportunities created another demanding weekend for Ferrari. The Dutch Grand Prix required strong qualifying performance and careful tyre management, particularly through the circuit's long, flowing corners.
McLaren once again proved difficult to beat, with Norris securing his second consecutive Grand Prix victory. Ferrari remained in the fight behind the leading contenders, with Hamilton finishing fourth and Leclerc fifth.
The weekend was particularly valuable for Ferrari because both drivers also collected additional championship points from the Sprint, bringing the team's total haul to 31 points. Although Ferrari was unable to repeat its podium finishes from Silverstone and Spa, the double points finish ensured that the Scuderia continued to score consistently after the summer break.
Race 13: Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza
September 4 to 6. The Italian Grand Prix at Monza was one of the most important weekends of Ferrari's season. Racing in front of the passionate Tifosi always carries special significance for the Scuderia, particularly at a circuit so closely connected to its Formula 1 history. Monza's long straights and heavy braking zones placed considerable emphasis on straight line speed, braking stability and efficiency. Ferrari entered its home race hoping to deliver a strong result, but the weekend ended in disappointment.
Kimi Antonelli claimed victory for Mercedes, while Hamilton finished sixth for Ferrari, collecting eight championship points. Leclerc, however, failed to finish the race after crashing at Parabolica in the opening laps, following a first-lap clash with Hamilton that also dropped his teammate down the order, leaving the team with only one car in the points. For Ferrari, the result was particularly frustrating after the stronger performances seen earlier in the summer. The team had celebrated victories in Barcelona and Silverstone, but Monza offered little opportunity to continue that momentum.
Hamilton's sixth place ensured that Ferrari did not leave its home Grand Prix empty handed, although the eight point total was one of the team's weakest returns of the season. The disappointment at Monza also increased the importance of the following races. Ferrari needed to recover quickly to protect its position in the Constructors' Championship and prevent its rivals from closing the gap.
Race 14: Spanish Grand Prix at Madring, Madrid
September 11 to 13. Just one week after Monza, Ferrari travelled to Madrid for the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit. The event marked another chapter in Formula 1's expanding calendar and presented teams with a fresh technical challenge. Unlike the familiar Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, which had hosted an earlier round of the championship, Madring required drivers and engineers to adapt to a different layout with limited previous racing experience.
Ferrari approached the weekend hoping to recover from its disappointing home race. Leclerc delivered a solid performance to finish fourth, collecting 12 points and ensuring that the Scuderia remained competitive in the championship. Hamilton retired on lap seven with a brake failure, meaning Ferrari once again ended a Grand Prix with only one car scoring points.
Antonelli secured another victory for Mercedes, extending the team's advantage at the front of the championship.
For Ferrari, Madrid represented a continuation of the difficult period that had begun at Monza. Two consecutive races had produced a retirement for one of its drivers, limiting the team's overall points total despite the SF 26 remaining capable of finishing near the front.
Race 15: Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit
September 24 to 26. Ferrari arrived in Azerbaijan determined to put the disappointments of Monza and Madrid behind it. The Baku City Circuit offered a unique challenge, combining extremely long straights with narrow sections where precision and confidence are essential. The race developed into a closely contested battle at the front. George Russell secured victory for Mercedes, finishing just 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, while Isack Hadjar completed the podium for Red Bull Racing.
Leclerc remained in contention throughout the Grand Prix and finished fourth, just over three seconds behind Hadjar. Hamilton crossed the line in sixth, giving Ferrari its first double points finish since the Dutch Grand Prix. The result brought 20 championship points for the Scuderia and represented a welcome improvement after two difficult weekends.
Although Ferrari was unable to secure a podium, Leclerc's fourth place demonstrated that the team could still compete close to the leading cars. Hamilton's sixth place also contributed valuable points as Ferrari continued to defend second position in the Constructors' Championship.
Race 16: Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at Sepang International Circuit
October 2 to 4. Formula 1 returned to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017, with the event officially named the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The demanding circuit, combined with high temperatures and unpredictable tropical weather, created one of the most challenging weekends of Ferrari's season.
Ferrari showed promising speed during practice, with Leclerc topping the second session. Hamilton then delivered an impressive qualifying performance, securing second place on the grid behind Verstappen. Leclerc qualified fifth and was promoted to fourth following a grid penalty for Hadjar.
However, heavy rain before the Grand Prix created difficult conditions and forced a delayed start. Ferrari made the decision to start both cars on slick tyres, designed for dry conditions, while several rivals selected intermediate tyres for the wet track. The decision proved costly in the opening laps. Both Hamilton and Leclerc lost considerable ground as they struggled for grip, leaving Ferrari facing the possibility of a disappointing result.
Hamilton continued on slick tyres as conditions gradually improved, while Leclerc switched to intermediates before recovering through the field. As the track dried and the race developed, both Ferrari drivers began making significant progress. Safety Car periods helped create further opportunities, and Hamilton eventually fought his way back into podium contention. In the closing stages, both Ferrari drivers passed Hadjar, while Russell’s retirement from third place, with five laps remaining, promoted them further up the order.
Hamilton finished third, securing another podium for Ferrari, with Leclerc following in fourth. Verstappen claimed victory ahead of Antonelli. The result gave Ferrari 27 championship points and represented an impressive recovery. Although the opening tyre decision had compromised both drivers, the SF 26 demonstrated strong race pace as Hamilton and Leclerc worked their way through the field.
Race 17: Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit
October 9 to 11. Ferrari arrived in Singapore hoping to build on its recovery in Malaysia. The Marina Bay Street Circuit presented another demanding challenge, with its narrow corners, limited overtaking opportunities and high physical demands making qualifying and strategy especially important. The weekend also featured the final Sprint Race of the season, creating additional opportunities to collect championship points.
In Sprint Qualifying, Leclerc secured third place while Hamilton qualified sixth. Rain before Saturday's Sprint created difficult track conditions, but Hamilton produced an excellent start, climbing from sixth to third during the opening lap.
When Russell crashed out, Hamilton moved into second place behind Verstappen. He maintained that position to the finish, collecting seven points, while Leclerc finished third to add another six. Ferrari therefore secured 13 points from the Sprint alone, providing a strong foundation for Sunday's Grand Prix.
Leclerc continued the team's encouraging form by qualifying second for the main race, securing a place on the front row alongside Verstappen. Hamilton also remained competitive, although he was unable to match his teammate's final qualifying performance.
Sunday's Grand Prix produced another eventful afternoon. Verstappen controlled the race at the front, while Leclerc remained in contention for a podium throughout the 62 laps. Ferrari's strategy proved more difficult for Hamilton, who lost the opportunity to secure another podium despite showing competitive pace during the weekend.
Leclerc eventually crossed the line in second place behind Verstappen, with Antonelli completing the podium for Mercedes. Hamilton finished sixth, adding further championship points to Ferrari's total.
Combined with the Sprint results, Ferrari collected 39 points across the Singapore weekend, its strongest total since Silverstone.
Singapore brought a positive conclusion to this phase of Ferrari's 2026 Formula 1 season. Although the team had experienced several disappointing weekends since Belgium, its performances in Malaysia and Singapore showed that the SF 26 remained capable of challenging near the front.
Scuderia Ferrari results
Across the seven Grands Prix from Hungary to Singapore, Ferrari experienced a mixture of consistent points finishes, costly retirements and impressive recovery drives. The team collected 159 championship points during this period, including additional points from Sprint events.
The most difficult races came at Monza and Madrid, where retirements prevented Ferrari from maximising its results. However, the strong performances in Malaysia and Singapore helped the Scuderia recover valuable ground.
|
Grand Prix |
Hamilton |
Leclerc |
Hamilton Points |
Leclerc Points |
Total Points |
|
Hungarian Grand Prix |
P5 |
P4 |
10 |
12 |
22 |
|
Dutch Grand Prix |
P4 |
P5 |
14 |
17 |
31 |
|
Italian Grand Prix |
P6 |
DNF |
8 |
0 |
8 |
|
Spanish Grand Prix |
DNF |
P4 |
0 |
12 |
12 |
|
Azerbaijan Grand Prix |
P6 |
P4 |
8 |
12 |
20 |
|
Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia |
P3 |
P4 |
15 |
12 |
27 |
|
Singapore Grand Prix |
P6 |
P2 |
15 |
24 |
39 |
|
Total |
|
|
70 |
89 |
159 |
Points include Sprint results where applicable.
Drivers' Championship standings
After 17 rounds, Antonelli continued to lead the Drivers' Championship for Mercedes. Hamilton remained Ferrari's highest placed driver in third, while Leclerc occupied fifth position following his podium finish in Singapore.
|
Position |
Driver |
Team |
Points |
|
1 |
Kimi Antonelli |
Mercedes |
340 |
|
2 |
George Russell |
Mercedes |
238 |
|
3 |
Lewis Hamilton |
Ferrari |
229 |
|
4 |
Max Verstappen |
Red Bull Racing |
221 |
|
5 |
Charles Leclerc |
Ferrari |
215 |
|
6 |
Lando Norris |
McLaren |
201 |
Constructors' Championship standings
Ferrari remained second in the Constructors' Championship with 444 points, trailing Mercedes but maintaining an advantage over McLaren and Red Bull Racing.
|
Position |
Team |
Points |
|
1 |
Mercedes |
578 |
|
2 |
Ferrari |
444 |
|
3 |
McLaren |
339 |
|
4 |
Red Bull Racing |
332 |
What was your favourite race of the third part of the Formula 1 season?
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