Midseason winners and losers. Plus: Those pesky blue flags in Hungary

Prime Tire Newsletter | This is The Athletic’s F1 newsletter. Sign up here to receive Prime Tire directly in your inbox twice a week during the season and weekly in the offseason.Welcome back to Prime Tire, where today I’m looking back on this past weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix and the first half of the season overall.I’m also baffled by one country agreeing to hold a race, but naming it after another.I’m Alex, and Madeline Coleman will be along later.Halfway Heroes: Winners after 11 racesThe Hungarian GP was Round 11 of a seemingly ever-changing 2026 F1 calendar. Right now, there are 23 rounds scheduled, which makes the season’s exact halfway point Lap 36 of 72 at the Dutch GP on Aug. 23.But this F1 season may not reach 23 races.There’s still too much uncertainty around the Middle East c