Wolff addresses Antonelli's title favourite status after Hungarian GP podium

The championship leader, who started seventh after receiving a three-place grid penalty following qualifying, once again showcased impressive race pace and outstanding tyre management. The Italian fought his way through the field to finish just behind Max Verstappen in a weekend where Mercedes lacked the outright pace it has typically shown this season.

With Hamilton finishing fifth - having crossed the line fourth before dropping a position due to a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane in the closing stages of the race - and George Russell only managing seventh, Antonelli now holds a 50-point lead over the Ferrari driver and a 59-point advantage over his teammate.

Speaking to GPblog among other media after the race, Wolff played down suggestions that Antonelli had become the clear title favourite. Despite the Italian extending his championship lead to 50 points, the Mercedes team principal stressed that there was still a long way to go, pointing out that reliability issues and a single retirement could dramatically change the standings.

He added that the team's focus remained on extracting the maximum from every race weekend before drawing any conclusions about the championship fight.

Formula 1 now heads into its summer break at the halfway point of the season, with a month-long pause before the championship resumes at Zandvoort. Despite holding a healthy points cushion, Antonelli will return to action facing the challenge of managing the growing pressure that comes with leading the title race as the second half of the campaign gets underway.