Hungarian GP Friday practice report – Hamilton quickest from Verstappen as Albon crashes heavily

Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel after rain hampered the afternoon’s running at the Hungaroring on Friday.

The reigning champion, who is determined to return to winning ways after the disappointment of last weekend, clocked a 1m17.233s mark to finish 0.165s ahead of German Grand Prix winner Verstappen and Vettel, who was just 0.001s behind him.

The second Red Bull of Pierre Gasly was fourth quickest, 0.449s off the pace, with Kevin Magnussen and Charles Leclerc next on the timesheets.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Verstappen, however, who had two spins at Turns 1 and 12 and complained of lack of stability in the rear of his car. But it was worse for Valtteri Bottas, who sat out the entire opening session as Mercedes changed his engine.

The Finn returned to get some running in FP2 as rainfall made for tricky conditions, Alexander Albon getting caught out and crashing into the wall, causing significant damage to his Toro Rosso.

As the session drew to a close with rain hammering down on the circuit, it was Pierre Gasly who sat atop the pile from Verstappen, Hamilton and Bottas – although the times were understandably slower than in the morning.

Third practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix is at 12.00am local time on Saturday with qualifying to follow at 15.00.

Fraser Masefield

Sports news and features writer, web editor and author.