Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton headed Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen in first free practice session in F1 Hungarian GP in mixed conditions with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in third.
While rain did not affect the whole of the FP1 session of F1 Hungarian GP at Hungaroring, but it was enough to force the teams to change their strategy. It was Hamilton on top though with a 1m17.233s with Vettel being beaten by Verstappen to second.
The Dutchman clocked a 1m17.398s to go quicker by just 0.001s from Vettel (1m17.399s), late in the session. The German, though, had a smoother run than Hamilton as well as Verstappen, with the latter having a spin early on and an off at Turn 4 to damage the wing.
Red Bull’s Pierre Gasly (1m17.682s) did well to be fourth as Haas’ Kevin Magnussen (1m17.942s) was best of the rest in fifth, to beat Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (1m18.188s), who did not get a clear lap and looked a bit off as well.
It was Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg (1m18.417s) in seventh leading the two McLaren drivers with Lando Norris (1m18.531s) ahead of Carlos Sainz (1m18.702s) as Alfa Romeo Racing’s Kimi Raikkonen (1m18.787s) rounded out the Top 10.
Norris had an off as well, while Sainz suffered a water pressure problem which ended his session early. Outside the Top 10 was Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo (1m18.894s) in 11th with Haas’ Romain Grosjean (1m18.973s) slotting in 12th ahead of the two Toro Rosso drivers.
It was Daniil Kvyat (1m18.982s) ahead of Alexander Albon (1m19.223s) with Racing Point’s Sergio Perez (1m19.325s) slotting in 15th but the Mexican had a big spin like teammate Lance Stroll (1m19.722s) in the same corner. The Canadian was only 18th as result.
Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi (1m19.488s) was 16th with Williams’ George Russell (1m19.649s) doing well to be 17th ahead of Stroll and Williams’ teammate Robert Kubica (1m20.322s). Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas couldn’t set a time due to engine change.