5 BOLD Predictions For the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix

Round 14 of the 2025 Formula One season is officially underway in Budapest, Hungary, and the vibe is nothing short of electric. Known for its tight corners and tricky layout, the 70-lap race around the Hungaroring presents a real test for even the most experienced drivers, which we have seen already. Plus, after the qualifying we just witnessed, the atmosphere is buzzing as the stage is set for an interesting showdown.

Now, before we get into my bold predictions, here is a look at how the grid shaped up after Saturday's qualifying (as it stands at 3:20pm EST)

1. Charles Leclerc

2. Oscar Piastri

3. Lando Norris

4. George Russell

5. Fernando Alonso

6. Lance Stroll

7. Gabriel Bortoleto

8. Max Verstappen

9. Liam Lawson

10. Isak Hadjar

11. Oliver Bearman

12. Lewis Hamilton

13. Carlos Sainz

14. Franco Colapinto

15. Kimi Antonelli

16. Yuki Tsunoda

17. Pierre Gasly

18. Esteban Ocon

19. Nico Hülkenberg

20. Alex Albon

Crazy grid start heading into the race, so let's get into some predictions!

Nico Hülkenberg will Finish in the Top 12

With Hülkenberg starting 19th on Sunday, a lot would need to go his way in order for this to happen. He would have to overtake cars on an extremely tough overtaking track, as well as get his strategy perfect. Yet, if anyone can do it, it's Nico Hülkenberg.

We have seen Nico accomplish this before multiple times this season, so why not again? Sauber have good pace around the Hungaroring, which we saw from Bortoleto's result in qualifying. Plus, Hulkenberg said in his post-qualifying interview that he felt good in the car. If Nico can get some luck on his side, I think this is another weekend where we see him climb up the grid rather quickly.

A 3+ Car Collision will Occur During the race

With Hungary being so difficult to overtake, as well as the number of corners the track possesses, we have seen multiple cars DNF plenty of times. However, it is rare that we see a multi-car collision at one time. We have not seen a huge pile-up in Hungary since that massive 2021 crash where five drivers were forced to retire. I think something like what we saw in 2021 will happen again on Sunday.

With the grid looking the way it does right now, there will be multiple top-team drivers trying to bank points for their team. Add that to the fact that drivers such as Liam Lawson and Max Verstappen will spearhead this, and it could get ugly real fast. It could be as soon as lap one, turn one, but I think at some point we will see a massive collision that will shake up the race drastically.

Ollie Bearman Will Break the Finishing Position Record

For those of you who aren't aware, Oliver Bearman has the chance this weekend to break a rather peculiar record. In Formula One, the most consecutive races a driver has finished in the same position (other than 1st) is four. With Bearman finishing in 11th place in Belgium, Great Britain, Austria, and Canada, he tied that record.

So, what do you think Bearman did in qualifying? You guessed it, he qualified 11th. Of course, it does not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it would be really cool to witness a youngster like Bearman break a record. It makes it all the more impressive with the inconsistent car he is driving, too. History will be made on Sunday, just not in the way anyone would have thought.

Fernando Alonso will Finish on the Podium

Though all these predictions can be considered bold, I always like to make at least one really crazy bold prediction. Considering how Aston Martin has looked thus far in 2025, I feel like this qualifies as such.

After qualifying 19th just last weekend, Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin as a whole found a way to turn things around and compete at the top of the field. Yes, Hungary and Belgium are basically opposite when it comes to track layout, but what Aston Martin accomplished this Saturday was remarkable. Plus, with Alonso starting 5th and missing pole by just 0.109 seconds, Alonso has a serious, and possibly his only, chance to secure a podium in 2025.

Based on what I have seen this weekend, Aston Martin looks like the third fastest team. Even with McLaren still being a favorite, only one Ferrari is near the top (Leclerc, who is on pole). I think Alonso's veteran experience, defensive ability, added with the car's pace around this track, will propel him onto the podium for the first time since Brazil in 2023.

Oscar Piastri will Win the Hungarian Grand Prix

Though I think it will be one of his biggest tests to date, I cannot help but believe that Piastri will win Sunday's race. I mean, he only missed out on pole because of the drastic wind change during Q3, so there is no doubt in my mind that Oscar will give it all he has to get by Leclerc as quickly as possible.

On top of this, considering how shocked Leclerc was after securing pole in qualifying, I do not think Ferrari will have the pace over the course of the race. McLaren, on the other hand, are still the quickest car by a significant margin in races, making it all the more realistic that Oscar makes quick work of Leclerc. Overall, as much as many would love to see a non-McLaren winner this weekend, I just do not see it happening. Oscar Piastri will get his second win in a row at Hungary.

Stay tuned for more F1 content, and check out fansonlysportz.com for more sports media content posted daily.

Also, be sure to check out and follow my socials @matthylen_, where I post all my articles!

Until next time!

-Matt Hylen