First practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring: Carlos Sainz achieves the best time ahead of Max Verstappen, Haas shows a Ferrari copy, the new Aston Martin rear wing creates a stir.
Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen stated before the first training session: “It will be a journey into the unknown, because it looks like it will rain on Saturday. But it could be nice again on Sunday.”
The Hungarian meteorologists confirm: thunderstorms on Saturday morning, probability of rain in the third practice session at 60 percent and in qualifying at least 50 percent. The temperature drops from 35 degrees in the shade (Friday) to 28 and on Sunday to 25 – the race should stay dry.
Drivers and racing teams must therefore be prepared for the fact that the basic work on Friday will have to be done under different conditions than on Saturday and Sunday. That makes voting even trickier.
Just days after the Formula 1 weekend in France, the teams brought these improvements with them:
Mercedes-Benz with optimized air deflection elements on the halo, new edges of the rear wing (for maximum downforce), and there’s an improved additional wing over the gearbox. The same additional wing has also been designed differently at Red Bull Racing. Ferrari reported: no improvements to Leclerc and Sainz’s car. Nothing new at Williams either.
McLaren with improved brake ventilation on the front axle and a modified diffuser (the rising end of the floor) to generate more downforce. Alpine with a new additional wing above the gearbox (the so-called «beam wing»). AlphaTauri with freshly formed end plates of the rear wing, new rear wing also at Aston Martin, including an unconventional, snail-shaped end plate, new floor at Alfa Romeo.
The Haas Evo package, which only Kevin Magnussen drives at the Hungaroring, attracted the most attention (Mick Schumacher has to wait until Belgium): floor, diffuser, engine cover, cooling fins, rear suspension cladding, rear brake cooling inlets – all new .
Lead Engineer Ayao Komatsu: “In general, our package is a more consistent interpretation of the 2022 regulations, with two main focuses – more downforce and less sensitivity of the car to changes in ride height. To do this, we shaped the underbody and its edges differently.»
The Japanese continues: “The engine cowling fits tighter and allows a more efficient air flow to the downforce-generating elements such as the diffuser and rear wing. The cooling fins are shaped and positioned differently to less restrict airflow to the rear. This also applies to the rear suspension panels. The new additional wings on the rear brake guarantee a clean air flow, especially in the interaction in the sensitive area of the rear wing, as well as more downforce.»
It all looks a lot like Ferrari, and Haas team boss Günther Steiner says: “We see three concepts out there, from Red Bull Racing, from Mercedes, from Ferrari. We’re close to Ferrari, we use their engine, gearbox and suspension, so it’s logical that we look to them as they win races. Why should we copy another concept?”
This also means that the side pods, viewed from above, now show this unusual indentation, affectionately called the “bathtub” in Italy.
The bathtub isn’t a fuss in the paddock, but the new rear wing on the Aston Martin is. With their interpretation of the regulations, the aerodynamicists of the Greens prevent lateral air outflow on the wing. The result: more downforce, albeit more drag, and hot opponents’ heads.
With an asphalt temperature of 55.4, all drivers took to the track early to explore the latest improvements. Fernando Alonso (who turned 41 today) was upset about Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin slowly cruising along the ideal line.
George Russell complained about a strange whistling noise from the turbocharger when he let off the gas and asked the engine technicians to take a closer look at the data.
After a quarter of an hour: Leclerc just ahead of Verstappen, four tenths of a second behind Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari.
It was noticeable that all three tire types are used, which is unusual for a Friday. The reason: The teams are aware that it could be wet all day on Saturday.
GP winner Johnny Herbert: «Ferrari’s advantage here is that the car turns in sharply, but the rear doesn’t get restless. The car is very well balanced and that is particularly noticeable on such a twisty track. The car also has excellent traction.”
Funny scene at Red Bull Racing: Sergio Pérez was caught sneezing loudly three times in the race car. The Mexican had to laugh himself: “Some allergy.” In fact, numerous hay fever sufferers here react to any grass or flower.
After half an hour: Leclerc 244 thousandths of a second ahead of Verstappen, 245 thousandths of a second ahead of Sainz, then Pérez, Ricciardo, Schumacher, Ocon, Russell, Hamilton and Albon. Magnussen in the improved Haas slower than Schumacher in the new. The two Aston Martins in the back (Vettel second last, Stroll last).
George Russell complained on the radio about a car touching down on the approach to the first corner because the car was too low.
Mick Schumacher was briefly off the track in turn 3, but was able to continue.
More and more drivers let it fly on soft tires: Russell moved up to 2nd place, Hamilton drove on par, but then slid off the track in the third to last corner, he too was able to continue. Norris moved up to 7th place, like his McLaren teammate Daniel Ricciardo (9th) on medium-hard tires, all other drivers on soft Pirelli rollers. Yuki Tsunoda smoked out the left front tire on the approach to the first corner.
With 20 minutes to go Carlos Sainz took the lead, for a few minutes then World Champion Verstappen popped up at the top before Carlos Sainz took the lead, on used Pirelli mind you. Ferrari makes a very good impression.
1. Training, Hungaroring
01. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:18.750 mins
02. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:18,880
03. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:19,039
04. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:19.299
05. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:19,606
06. Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:19.622
07. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:19,710
08. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren, 1:19.841
09. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:20,348
10. Fernando Alonso (L), Alpine, 1:20,377
11. Sebastian Vettel (D), Aston Martin, 1:20,383
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:20,414
13. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri, 1:20.456
14. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, 1:20,695
15. Guanyu Zhou (RC), Alfa Romeo, 1:20,810
16. Alexander Albon (T), Williams, 1:20,834
17. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:20.921
18. Mick Schumacher (D), Haas, 1:21,027
19. Robert Kubica (PL), Alfa Romeo, 1:21.179
20. Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams, 1:21,413