Hungary – Free Practice 1: Vettel on top despite problems

There is an ideal temperature at the Hungaroring circuit for the start of Formula 1 testing, with 29°C in the air and 39°C on the track. On the track, it should be noted that Max Chilton will not be driving, as the Briton is replaced by Rodolfo Gonzalez for this first practice session.

Once the traditional installation laps were completed, the first driver to set a timed lap was Rodolfo Gonzalez with a 1:39.688 driving the Marussia. The Venezuelan then improved immediately with a 1:37.942 before returning to the pits at the end of this two-lap stint.

A third of the way through the session, only Rodolfo Gonzalez had set a timed lap. It was therefore a rather calm first 30 minutes during which the teams focused on aerodynamic tests, most often at constant speed and sometimes with fluorescent paint or even specific devices mounted on the cars, as was the case with Sebastian Vettel’s RB9 in particular.

Fortunately, in the process, the track activity becomes denser, notably with the presence of Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes, as the German driver takes the lead with a 1:29.998 on Mediums before Sergio Pérez improves, also on Mediums, with a lap time of 1:25.476, setting the best times in all three sectors. The Mexican’s best time only lasts a few seconds following an assault by Kimi Räikkönen, who clocks in a 1:24.588.

At mid-session, Sergio Pérez is leading ahead of Mark Webber and Pastor Maldonado. Thirteen drivers have set a timed lap at this point, and the track is gradually evolving with the passing of the cars. Shortly after, Fernando Alonso improves on Pérez’s mark by 0.088 seconds to take the lead, while only di Resta, Sutil, and Vettel have not set a time. Although the two Force India drivers quickly set a time, Sebastian Vettel is experiencing a brake issue and remains in the pits.

At the start of the last half-hour of this session, Fernando Alonso is in the lead ahead of Romain Grosjean, the two McLarens of Button and Pérez, and Mark Webber’s Red Bull, while Vettel has still not returned to the track since his installation lap where he encountered a problem with his brakes.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to see the German’s Red Bull back on track, as he sets the 18th fastest time as his first lap with a time of 1:24.823. He quickly improves and ranks 6th. Meanwhile, his teammate takes the lead with a lap in 1:22.982 ahead of Kimi Räikkönen. But Webber’s fastest time doesn’t last long as Vettel proves to be the quickest with a 1:22.723, which was only his 10th lap of the day.

In the last ten minutes, the majority of the drivers return to the track, but there is little change in the hierarchy as the teams and drivers focus on longer stints with more fuel. Therefore, Sebastian Vettel finishes at the top of this first free practice session in Hungary ahead of Mark Webber, Kimi Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso, Romain Grosjean, Jenson Button, Adrian Sutil, Nico Rosberg, Sergio Pérez, and Pastor Maldonado, who is 10th.

Results of Free Practice 1 of the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix

From our special correspondent at the Hungaroring