Ferrari Takes Charge at Hungarian Grand Prix Practice
Ferrari showcased impressive performance on the opening day of the Hungarian Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton clocking the fastest time ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc in the second practice session. Leclerc had already demonstrated solid speed in the first session, outpacing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Hamilton. However, Hamilton made a significant leap in the later session, closing the gap and ultimately finishing 0.158 seconds ahead of Leclerc.
McLaren’s Lando Norris Emerges as Strong Contender
The reigning world champion, Lando Norris, emerged as Ferrari’s closest competitor in the more representative second session, trailing Hamilton by half a second in his upgraded McLaren. Ferrari’s strong pace on the Hungaroring—often seen as a circuit well-suited for their cars—came as no surprise. The team will be further encouraged by the unexpected struggles faced by championship leader Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes team.
Kimi Antonelli’s Struggles Highlight Mercedes’ Challenges
Antonelli missed the first practice session due to team strategy, which mandated that he sit out one of his required rookie sessions. Upon his return, he faced significant difficulties, struggling with rear lock issues that saw him go off-track multiple times. The 19-year-old Italian, currently leading Hamilton by 45 points, finished in 13th place, nearly two seconds off the pace. In contrast, teammate George Russell managed a fifth-place finish, though he was nearly a second adrift of the leaders after completing a flying lap on fresh soft tires.
Red Bull’s Teammates Perform Consistently
Verstappen secured fourth place, approximately seven-tenths behind Hamilton, with Red Bull teammate Isaac Hajjar following closely in sixth. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who also missed the opening session, could only manage a disappointing eighth place, struggling to keep pace with his teammate Norris. Piastri’s performance was limited by the absence of the same full upgrade package available to Norris.
Incidents Complicate Proceedings During Practice
The session was interrupted by serious incidents, including a crash involving Franco Colapinto. The Alpine driver lost control at the final corner, colliding with the barriers and prompting a red flag that halted practice for about ten minutes. Additionally, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll had to sit out the session after experiencing a suspension failure during the first practice, overshadowing the announcement of a significant 16-part upgrade package for his team.
Poor Performance from Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso struggled to make a marked improvement, finishing 19th in the second practice session—almost three seconds off the lead. His performance left him wedged between two new 2026 Cadillacs, highlighting a challenging day for the Aston Martin team as they continue to navigate a difficult season.
Looking Ahead to Qualifying
As teams prepare for final practice on Saturday at 11:30 AM, both Mercedes and McLaren will be aiming to recover lost ground on Ferrari. With qualifying set to begin at 3 PM, Ferrari has established itself as a clear favorite for pole position. The excitement surrounding the qualifying session will be available for fans to catch live on Sky Sports F1.
