Mercedes driver George Russell will take a fresh V6 engine for the Hungarian GP after a water leak damaged his power unit in qualifying, but he will retain his seventh place on the grid. Russell qualified seventh at the Hungaroring after both he and teammate Kimi Antonelli struggled with tyre temperatures, and his second lap was ruined when he hit the kerbs at Turn 4, causing vibrations that led to the leak. Team principal Toto Wolff confirmed the engine was "done" and that Mercedes would replace it with his fourth internal combustion unit of the season, which remains within his allocation and avoids a grid penalty.

Mercedes explained that during Russell’s final Q3 lap they detected a loss of water pressure, instructed him to stop as a precaution, and after inspection decided to change the power unit ahead of the race. Because the replacement is of the same specification, Russell avoids a pit‑lane start and keeps his grid slot. Russell noted the leak caused his rear tyre temperatures to drop suddenly, ending any chance of a top‑three finish.

Meanwhile, teammate Kimi Antonelli, who qualified fourth, is under investigation by the stewards for alleged speeding under yellows after passing Max Verstappen’s stationary Red Bull. Reigning world champion Lando Norris took pole ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, while Hamilton received a three‑place grid drop for impeding Norris’s McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, potentially promoting Antonelli to third if he escapes punishment.