BUDAPEST : Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets in first practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday, finishing nearly half a second clear of the field before a late mechanical issue cut his session short.
The Monegasque posted a best lap of one minute 19.075 seconds on a dusty Hungaroring circuit, ending his outing with seven minutes remaining after reporting over team radio that “something broke” on his car.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was second, 0.484 seconds adrift, but faced a post-session investigation after being noted for allegedly driving erratically.
Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton was third, 0.543 seconds behind Leclerc, although the Briton complained throughout the session about his car’s handling.
“It feels pretty bad. Ride is very poor. The stiffness is too stiff,” Hamilton said over the team radio.
Mercedes championship leader Kimi Antonelli sat out the session, with reserve driver Frederik Vesti taking his place and setting the seventh-fastest time. George Russell finished fifth, 0.991 seconds behind Leclerc.
Antonelli, who is due to return for second practice, leads Hamilton by 45 points in the drivers’ standings after 10 races.
McLaren world champion Lando Norris was 11th, while reigning Formula Two champion Leonardo Fornaroli deputised for Oscar Piastri and ended the session 16th fastest.
The session was briefly red-flagged after Lance Stroll spun into the gravel in Aston Martin’s upgraded car. A team spokesperson said the Canadian had suffered a suspected rear-left suspension failure.
Fernando Alonso was 13th for Aston Martin, 2.475 seconds off Leclerc’s pace.
Despite Ferrari’s encouraging start after winning two of the previous four races, both Leclerc and Hamilton said they still expected Mercedes to set the benchmark over the remainder of the weekend.
“I still personally expect Mercedes to be the reference and they are going to be very difficult to beat on the qualifying lap,” Leclerc said.
“I think Mercedes are still the team to beat,” Hamilton said on Thursday.
