Hungarian GP 2023
JULY 21, 2023
Friday Report - Charles Leclerc fastest in a mixed free practice three session
© McLaren
By Peter Habicht
Charles Leclerc was fastest for Ferrari in the second free practice today around the Hungaroring with a 1m17.686s lap, followed by the McLaren-Mercedes of Lando Norris and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly. With drivers running variable fuel loads, and with limited running, the results featured a mix of representative and less representative times.
Alpha Tauri-Honda’s Yuki Tsunoda finished fourth, followed by Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg.
Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas was seventh followed by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Alfa’s Guanyu Zhou and Leclerc teammate Carlos Sainz.
Pirelli has chosen a softer tire range this year for the Hungarian Grand Prix, and teams spent much of the session gathering longer run data to inform strategy and selection for the weekend. The bottom ten finishers were led by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, finishing 0.593s off Leclerc’s pace, followed by Aston’s Lance Stroll, Williams’ Alexander Albon and a returning Daniel Ricciardo at Alpha Tauri.
This weekend marks the return of the Australian to a race seat in Formula 1 since November of 2022 and his first drive in the Alpha Tauri, replacing Nyck de Vries following the Dutchman’s sacking after Britain for lack of results this season.
Kevin Magnussen was 15th fastest in the Haas, followed by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, Williams Logan Sargeant, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Hamilton teammate George Russell.
Free Practice 3 begins tomorrow at 12:30pm.