The first day of the Hungarian Grand Prix practice sessions saw McLaren emerge as the dominant force, with Lando Norris delivering a stellar performance that clearly outpaced his teammate Oscar Piastri. This early showing at the Hungaroring has sent a clear signal of intent, suggesting the British team is exceptionally well-prepared for the weekend’s challenges on the demanding Budapest circuit.
In a display of impressive pace, Norris logged a scorching time of 1:15.624 during the second F1 Practice session, establishing a significant lead of almost three-tenths of a second over Piastri. This notable margin underscores McLaren’s current form and their potential to challenge at the forefront of the grid, a key storyline emerging from the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.
The intensity of the practice was palpable, with both McLaren drivers pushing their limits, leading to several heart-stopping moments where swift reactions prevented contact with the barriers. These instances, including a near-clash at Turn 1 after the chequered flag, highlighted the fierce internal rivalry and determination to extract every ounce of performance from their machinery.
Elsewhere on the track, reigning world champion Max Verstappen faced an unexpectedly challenging day, finishing a surprising 14th and expressing considerable frustration with his car’s balance. The Red Bull driver’s struggles, coupled with an unusual incident involving a rag on the track that earned him a warning, added an intriguing subplot to Friday’s proceedings.
Beyond the McLaren surge, Charles Leclerc secured a respectable third for Ferrari, closely trailing Piastri. However, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes struggled to find optimal performance, with their team’s switch back to an older suspension iteration failing to yield the desired dividends. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso demonstrated solid pace, positioning themselves as strong contenders within the midfield.
Norris, who boasts an unblemished record of never being outqualified by a teammate in his six previous outings at the Hungaroring, expressed satisfaction with his car’s feel. His early pace and historical dominance in qualifying suggest he is firmly established as an early favorite for Saturday’s crucial pole position shootout, aiming to convert this promising start into a strong grid slot.
Yet, the dynamic nature of Formula 1 means nothing can be taken for granted. Last weekend in Belgium, it was Piastri who held an early advantage during practice and the Sprint events before Norris spectacularly turned the tables to claim pole. This precedent sets the stage for a compelling qualifying session, as rivals will undoubtedly work tirelessly overnight to close the gap.
