Hungarian Grand Prix – Free Practice 1: The two McLarens dominate ahead of Charles Leclerc
A few days after the Belgian Grand Prix, the three drivers who finished in the top three at Spa are in the same positions this Friday in Hungary, this time with Lando Norris at the top.
The first free practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix took place under a cloudy sky and on a dry track. Two driver changes are to be noted. Nico Hülkenberg gives up his seat to Paul Aron, while Fernando Alonso was forced to hand over his to Felipe Drugovich.
While the Estonian’s drive had been planned for several weeks, as he had already driven the Sauber at Silverstone, the Brazilian had little time to prepare to join his teammates, as Alonso’s withdrawal from this session was only revealed in the morning.
No observation lap in this session with many drivers taking to the track in the first few minutes. This is particularly the case for the two Racing Bulls, with Liam Lawson seeming to regain confidence in recent races, and Isack Hadjar wanting to forget his challenging weekend in Belgium.
At mid-session, Paul Aron had to step off in turn 13 due to a technical issue, which triggered the appearance of a virtual safety car. Once it ended, the drivers took the opportunity to test the three types of tires offered by Pirelli this weekend.
Track limits are being tested, notably by Franco Colapinto and Lando Norris, and even exceeded by Carlos Sainz’s Williams in the first turn.
20 minutes before the end of the session, the two McLaren cars take the top two positions with a little more than two tenths of a second ahead of a pack led by Charles Leclerc and his Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton follows four tenths behind his teammate.
Norris, Drogovich and Hamilton are distinguished by major wheel lock-ups at the end of the pit straight. At the same time, the Mercedes team takes the opportunity to (re)test their early-season settings. After the difficulties encountered in the last races, the team led by Toto Wolff has decided to revert to their previous set-up.
It is in calm and seriousness that this first practice session in Hungary concludes. Unsurprisingly, the two McLaren drivers finish at the top of the timesheets with Lando Norris ahead of Oscar Piastri. Charles Leclerc follows ahead of an excellent Isack Hadjar who finishes just ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Oliver Bearman. The two Mercedes secure the 7th and 8th times while Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll complete the Top 10.
