Hungarian Grand Prix: Hamilton leads Leclerc in Ferrari one-two during Friday practice
Lewis Hamilton led Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari one-two during Friday practice sessions at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hamilton finished 0.148 seconds ahead of Leclerc. McLaren’s Lando Norris secured third place, trailing by 0.499 seconds, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was fourth.
Fernando Alonso, driving the new Aston Martin, finished 19th fastest. Team principal Adrian Newey described the car’s initial outing as “promising.” The new Aston Martin features a new chassis, but retains its original engine, gearbox, and front suspension. Alonso’s lap was 2.990 seconds off the pace, though a lap nearly 0.4 seconds faster was disallowed due to track limit infringements at the final corner.
Aston Martin’s new car and Stroll’s incident
Despite the time difference, this performance marks a notable improvement for Aston Martin compared to their season’s earlier showings. Newey indicated that this is the first phase of a planned upgrade, with further developments expected in Zandvoort, Monza, and Baku. He also noted that parts are currently in short supply, requiring careful management of the new components.
The day was not without challenges for Aston Martin. Alonso’s teammate, Lance Stroll, encountered an issue during the first practice session, spinning out with what initially appeared to be a rear suspension failure. This incident prevented him from participating in the second session due to insufficient time for repairs.
There was some uncertainty surrounding the nature of Stroll’s car problem. While Aston Martin initially reported a “suspected rear left suspension issue,” they later clarified before the second session that the suspension was “not damaged.” The team expressed confidence in the safety of Alonso’s car, irrespective of the events with Stroll’s vehicle. Further details regarding the incident were anticipated later in the day.
Ferrari’s strong showing and Mercedes’ challenges
Ferrari demonstrated strong form, which was largely anticipated given the Hungaroring’s characteristics, which favour cars with robust cornering capabilities. In contrast, Mercedes appeared to have work to do. George Russell finished fifth, trailing by 0.933 seconds, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli was 13th.
Antonelli faced difficulties during his qualifying simulation laps in the second session. His first attempt was cut short when Franco Colapinto crashed his Alpine at the final corner. His second attempt was also compromised by an error made while entering the chicane. Antonelli reported issues with rear brake locking throughout the session, although he matched Norris’s time in the first sector on both curtailed laps.
Behind Russell, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar secured sixth place, followed by Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. The top ten was completed by Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad. Honda, Aston Martin’s engine partner, is set to introduce a new engine at the Dutch Grand Prix after the summer break.
In the first practice session, Charles Leclerc was the fastest, setting a time of 1m 19.075s, placing him half a second ahead of Max Verstappen. Leclerc’s session concluded prematurely when his Ferrari stopped in the pit lane entry with approximately seven minutes remaining due to a mechanical issue at Turn 13. Many teams brought upgrades to Budapest for the 40th Hungarian Grand Prix, which is scheduled to be held this weekend.
Five rookie drivers participated in the first practice, including Fred Vesti in Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes, with Antonelli observing from the sidelines. Russell initially led the times with a 1m 22.056s on medium tyres, before Leclerc improved to 1m 20.884s. Verstappen then took the lead with a 1m 20.788s, despite complaining about downshifts. Leclerc later set a new benchmark of 1m 20.287s, followed by Hamilton, who was three tenths behind and noted his car’s stiff ride. Russell then set a 1m 20.066s on soft tyres, which Verstappen quickly surpassed with a 1m 19.559s.
The first practice session saw a red flag when Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin stopped at the exit of Turn 3 due to a left-rear suspension failure, causing him to spin. The session resumed with 17 minutes remaining. Verstappen finished ahead of Hamilton in the first practice, with Isack Hadjar also in the top four for Red Bull. Russell, Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), Vesti, Nico Hulkenberg (Audi), and the two Racing Bulls drivers, Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, completed the top ten in that session. Norris was 11th, followed by Esteban Ocon (Haas), Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Alex Albon. Reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli participated for McLaren, testing a new rear wing design.
Other participants in the first practice included Ryo Hirakawa (Haas), Sergio Perez (Cadillac), Paul Aron (Alpine), Colton Herta, Lance Stroll, and Carlos Sainz.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Amelia Stockwell is a Sports Reporter at News GB. She covered two Commonwealth Games for a national outlet. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of York and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in York, she runs with a local club and follows county cricket. “The quiet stories often matter most by the end of the season.”
