The 2025 F3 season approaches its critical penultimate round at the Hungarian GP this weekend. Rafael Câmara and Trident lead both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships. However, with just two rounds remaining, their rivals face an uphill battle to overturn this advantage. As the series visits one of Europe’s most technically demanding circuits, the championship fight looks set to reach a boiling point amid the persistent threat of rain.
What to expect this weekend
The 2025 F3 Hungarian GP weekend begins on Friday with a pivotal Free Practice session at 09:55 local time. During this session, teams will strive to quickly find the ideal car setup and optimise their strategies on a circuit known for its technical complexity. More than a simple shakedown, this session represents the first real chance for drivers to familiarise themselves with the unique challenges of the Hungaroring, while engineers prepare the cars for qualifying and race conditions.
Following Free Practice, qualifying is scheduled to start at 15:00 on Friday. This session marks the penultimate chance in 2025 for drivers to claim pole position. So far, poles have been dominated by a small group of elite performers — Rafael Câmara, Nikola Tsolov, and Brad Benavides. Nevertheless, with the stakes high and the track demanding precision, this session could introduce a new name to the polesitters’ list.
On Saturday, the 2025 Hungaring GP F3 Sprint Race begins early at 10:05 local time. This shorter race typically produces aggressive racing and strategic gambits, as drivers fight for crucial points and track position. The weekend culminates on Sunday with the Feature Race at 08:30, the longer event carrying the most championship points and potentially deciding the title fight.
Moreover, rain has hovered over recent rounds and is once again forecast to threaten Sunday’s action. The prospect of wet weather adds an extra layer of unpredictability and could dramatically influence the outcome of the championship battle.
Championship stakes and key contenders
With just two rounds remaining, the championship battle remains remarkably open. Currently, thirteen drivers still hold a mathematical chance of claiming the Drivers’ Championship, from points leader Rafael Câmara down to Laurens van Hoepen in 13th place.
At present, Câmara leads the standings on 126 points, enjoying a 28-point buffer over his closest challenger Nikola Tsolov. Tim Tramnitz sits third with 93 points, while Mari Boya trails in fourth with 85 points. The battle for the top positions is tight, but it is Câmara’s consistency and three Feature Race victories that place him firmly in the driving seat.
For Tsolov, Boya, and the chasing pack, Budapest represents a final opportunity to close the gap before the season finale at Monza. Feature Race wins will carry extra weight, as the countback tiebreaker prioritises these victories ahead of Sprint Race success. Both Tsolov and Boya currently have one Feature Race win each, and a strong result in Hungary could keep their hopes alive.
Should Câmara leave the Hungarian GP with a 40-point advantage over his rivals, he will clinch the 2025 F3 title outright. Even a 39-point lead might suffice, depending on the countback scenarios. With so much at stake, every point earned or lost this weekend could define the outcome of the 2025 season.
Circuit and technical challenges
The Hungaroring is renowned for its technical demands and unforgiving layout. Pierre-Alain Michot, F3 Technical Director, describes it as a track that punishes drivers who make mistakes, while placing heavy emphasis on tyre management.
“The Hungaroring tests the drivers’ ability to find time around a circuit where there’s little margin for error and that punishes the tyres. The Feature Race especially will require tyre management in order to get the best of the Pirelli tyres for the entirety of the race. The twisty layout of the track means downforce demand is high, and clean air rather than a slipstream will be the preference here for qualifying.”
The circuit features a tight, twisty layout that requires high downforce settings and impeccable precision. Consequently, drivers must balance aggression with conservation, especially when it comes to the Pirelli tyres. The medium compound selected for this weekend is softer than last year’s, which increases the challenge of managing tyre degradation.
Furthermore, the heat and the dark asphalt surface combine to create harsh conditions that can accelerate tyre wear. Drivers will therefore have to carefully manage their tyres over long stints to avoid a severe drop in performance during the closing laps. Graining could also become an issue if track temperatures are lower, leading to sudden performance loss.
In addition, qualifying demands a clean lap in clear air due to the circuit’s twisty nature and lack of long straights. Slipstreaming is less effective here, meaning that securing track position early in qualifying is vital.
The weather factor
Rain has been a defining feature of the past two F3 race weekends, and the 2025 Hungarian GP may continue that trend. The forecast points to wet conditions on Sunday morning, raising the possibility of another rain-affected Feature Race.
Wet conditions always add an element of chaos and opportunity. They tend to level the playing field, providing chances for drivers who might otherwise struggle to shine. Rafael Câmara has already demonstrated his skill in the rain, winning the opening Feature Race of the season in Melbourne under wet conditions.
Campos Racing showed their wet-weather strength at Silverstone, sweeping the weekend with Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak winning the Sprint Race and Mari Boya taking the Feature Race in heavy rain. Should the rain return, Tsolov and Boya will be eager to repeat their teammates’ success and close the points gap on Câmara.
Taken together, the combination of a demanding track, tyre management challenges, and the prospect of rain sets the stage for a dramatic and potentially decisive weekend.
Fresh faces and new winners
The Hungaroring has a history of producing first-time winners in the F3 Championship. Since the series’ inception, every visit to Budapest has seen a new name on the top step, except in 2023 when Gabriele Minì and Zak O’Sullivan shared victories.
In 2025, the list of winners has already expanded, with ten different race winners including Noah Stromsted, who claimed his maiden Sprint Race victory at Spa. Given this history, the odds are strong that another fresh face could emerge victorious this weekend, making the Hungarian round a hotspot for breakthrough performances.
Consequently, this weekend could prove pivotal for young drivers seeking to make their mark and boost their championship prospects heading into the final round.
Reflecting on 2024: Lessons from last year’s Budapest F3 Round
Last year’s Budapest round offered a glimpse of the Hungaroring’s unique challenges and drama. Nikita Bedrin took his maiden F3 win in the Sprint Race, fending off teammate Beganovic who finished second. This marked Bedrin’s breakthrough and showcased the potential for surprise results at this circuit.
In the Feature Race, Laurens van Hoepen secured pole but lost the lead early after running wide. Nikola Tsolov capitalised to claim victory under safety car conditions caused by a late collision, highlighting how quickly fortunes can change.
Overall, the 2024 event illustrated the fine margins and strategic complexities that characterise the Hungaroring. Drivers who combine precision, tyre management, and racecraft tend to prevail, while mistakes are punished severely.
Looking ahead to a challenging weekend in Budapest
As the 2025 F3 championship enters its final stages, the Hungarian GP stands as a crucial battleground. The mix of a demanding circuit, soft tyres, unpredictable weather, and an intense title fight promises a weekend of high drama.
Rafael Câmara leads the hunt, but the chasing pack remains within striking distance. Should rain fall, the championship dynamics could shift dramatically, creating opportunities for both seasoned contenders and breakthrough talents.
With history favouring new winners at the Hungaroring, fans can expect an enthralling weekend where every lap counts and the championship could move closer to its final decision.
