MotoGP returns to Balaton Park for only the second time this weekend, and a second Hungarian Grand Prix victory could await Marc Marquez after his return from injury.
Ducati receives the MotoGP championship. Marquez The Spaniard returned to Mugello last weekend after being sidelined following operations on his shoulder and leg. Marquez could only get P7 in the Italian Grand Prix, but the return was more to test his right shoulder.
Marquez has lost a lot of muscle in his shoulders Because of the two bolts that were twisted in the crash at the Indonesian Grand Prix last October. But the Spaniard told Mugello that he did not feel the same nerves after the operation that ruled out the start of the 2026 season.
Balaton Park may suit Marquez better than Mugello. Hungarian GP The track is much less physically demanding than the home of the Italian GP. Márquez also won the 2025 Hungarian Sprint and Grand Prix from pole position between MotoGP’s first races at Balaton Park.
Although in 2026 the Apria is headed to Balaton Park. Marco Bezecchi Mr George Martin They secured their fourth one-two finish of the season after seven rounds at the Italian GP. Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia was in the lead at Mugello with P3, but the threat quickly faded.
So with that in mind, MotoGP News professional team of writers They predict that the 2026 Hungarian GP weekend will be the best around Balaton Park.
Who will win the Hungarian Grand Prix?
Who has secured pole position for the 2026 MotoGP Hungarian Grand Prix?
Kyle Archer – Pedro Acosta; “The difficult layout of the Balaton Park greatly negates the lack of straight-line speed that KTM can achieve with the RC16 this season. Instead, cornering will be key and Pedro Acosta Following his second career pole at the Catalan Grand Prix in May, he could secure his second pole position for 2026 at the Hungarian GP.
David Comerford – Marc Marquez: “I’m all for Marc Marquez this weekend. I think Balaton Park is one of the least demanding locations in MotoGP, especially compared to Mugello, so his physical limitations don’t necessarily stop him from hitting the front.”
Ashley Hambly – George Martin; “It’s surprising that Jorge Martin hasn’t taken pole position this year, given his record, but the Hungarian Grand Prix could end that. The track layout should suit the Aprilia to a T, and the Spaniard is getting closer and closer after his P3 grid slot at Mugello.”
Which rider will win the Sprint at Balaton Park in 2026?
Kyle Archer – George Martin: “Aprilia ace Georg Martin has shown himself to be very competitive many times in the Sprint Races in 2026 and Balaton Park could see the latest example this week. Martin is a Sprint sensation who has won 18 Sprints, and he will definitely be looking to adopt a powerful driving style around Balaton Park that could bring him another Sprint victory in Hungary.
David Comerford – Marc Marquez “The world champion has had some success on Saturdays this year. It makes sense because Marc Marquez starts to tire in the longer races. So I think Marquez will keep his perfect record at Balaton Park.
Ashley Hamby – Marco Bezeci Marco Bezecic, despite leading the championship, is still lacking in the sprint format. But if he can get in front of George Martin off the line, they should see limited passing opportunities translate to victory in the shorter format.
Who will win the 2026 MotoGP Hungarian Grand Prix at Balaton Park?
What are your real thoughts on Balaton Park?
The track has come in for a lot of criticism…
Kyle Archer – Marco Bezeci: “Aprilia saw Marco Bezzecchi win the Italian GP to return to the Grand Prix stage for the first time since his dominant start in 2026. Noale’s outfit could still see the Italian start another victory at the Hungarian GP on Sunday.
David Comerford – Marc Marquez “Ironically, Marc Marquez hasn’t won a Grand Prix since Misano last year. Although his injury at the end of last season was clearly a factor, it’s now nine months.
Ashley Hamby – George Martin “Unlike Marco Bezecicci, George Martin’s Grand Prix result has seen him drop out of the championship race this year. A win in Hungary would be the first step in closing the points gap between himself and the Italian in the standings.”
Who will make the Balaton Park podium in the 2026 Hungarian GP?
Kyle Archer – Bezecchi, Martin, Acosta: “Pedro Acosta will mount a strong defense if he can secure pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix on his underpowered KTM RC16. But the Aprilia RS-GP is the best bike on the 2026 MotoGP grid and could take Marco Bezecic and Jorge Martin to another one-two finish if they get out of trouble.”
David Comerford – Marquez, Martin, Acosta “Jorge Martin has finished second three times this year. And I think he will repeat that result in Hungary to take the championship lead from Marko Bezecic. Pedro Acosta also looked fast here last season but hasn’t lived up to his potential, although I expect a cleaner weekend from him this time around.”
Ashley Hambley – Martin, Fernandez, Bezeci: “Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez wasn’t great at Mugello, except for a late entry at the start of the Italian Grand Prix where he won the race from the start. Still, the pace was very strong and I expect the Spaniard to carry that form into the weekend at Balaton Park.
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