Hamilton Tops Practice as Aston Martin Shows Promise at Hungarian GP

New Delhi, India Jul 24, 2026 ALN: Ferrari led the field by a significant margin in Friday practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix but Charles Leclerc predicted a "tight" qualifying session on Saturday.

Leclerc trailed team-mate Lewis Hamilton by 0.148 seconds with McLaren's Lando Norris 0.499secs back in third place. This close competition among the top teams underscores the high stakes involved as the season progresses, particularly with the championship battle intensifying.

Mercedes had a difficult day, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli finishing 13th fastest after a disrupted run on soft tyres, while George Russell managed to secure fifth place. The struggles faced by Mercedes have raised questions about their performance consistency, especially as the team has historically been a dominant force in 1.

The topic of the day was the new Aston Martin, which Fernando Alonso indicated felt "much better" after an encouraging debut for the team that has struggled throughout the season. Alonso, a seasoned two-time champion, finished the session 2.990 seconds off the pace in 19th place but had a lap that was 0.4 seconds faster ruled out for exceeding track limits. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges drivers face with track limits, which can significantly impact their performance and overall standings.

Despite the setback, Alonso's actual lap time marked a major step forward for a team that has been trailing by more than four seconds in recent races. The introduction of a new Honda engine in the next race, the Dutch Grand Prix after the summer break, has created a sense of optimism within the Aston Martin camp. Alonso expressed a "positive atmosphere in the team now", which is crucial for morale as they seek to improve their standings.

Alonso noted, "The car feels more glued to the ground and easier to drive to an extent when you are in control of the grip in the corners." This statement reflects a broader trend in 1 where teams are constantly seeking to enhance their vehicles' handling and performance characteristics. He further added, "More predictable and an easier car but still a long way to go for us. Obviously, this will be the first step. We need to find more performance both on the chassis but also on the engine." This highlights the dual focus on both chassis and power unit performance, which is critical for achieving competitive lap times.

Alonso's comments also underscore the importance of continuous development in 1. He pointed out that Zandvoort would be a good test for the team with the new engine, emphasizing the need for gradual improvements. The key was not only that the upgrade was a step in the right direction but also that it had delivered as expected. This is particularly significant given the team's history of underwhelming upgrades in the past three seasons.

Adrian Newey, the team's technical leader, confirmed that further upgrades to the car were scheduled for the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix in September. This timeline indicates a strategic approach to development, allowing the team to gather data and make informed decisions about future upgrades. Alonso remarked, "We had what we expected in terms of numbers and correlation, which is obviously very encouraging for the future as well, for next year's car and the future upgrades into this year." This statement reflects a forward-looking perspective that is essential in a where technology and innovation are paramount.

However, the day was not entirely positive for Aston Martin. Alonso's teammate, Lance Stroll, experienced a spin during the first session due to what initially appeared to be a rear suspension failure. This incident not only hampered Stroll's performance but also limited the team's ability to gather data on their new upgrades. Team representative Pedro de la Rosa confirmed, "It is a suspension failure. We were confident it would not happen in Fernando's car. That's why we sent him out. Because of the lack of spares we couldn't repair his car on time. Some parts need to be repaired and some needed to come here." This situation emphasizes the logistical challenges teams face during a race weekend, particularly when it comes to spare parts and repairs.

Ferrari had been expected to perform well at this track, which is known for being one of the least power-dependent circuits on the calendar. The team's strong cornering capabilities have often given them an advantage in such settings, despite concerns over engine performance. Leclerc remained cautious about reading too much into their practice performance, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of qualifying sessions. Hamilton, who did not speak to the media, has historically been a key figure in the team’s strategy and performance discussions.

Leclerc stated, "It was a relatively strong day. I felt good with the car and the performance seemed to be there straight away so that's a good thing but the weekend is long." This sentiment reflects a common mindset among drivers who understand that practice sessions are only a precursor to the more competitive qualifying and race days. He continued, "From the Friday to Saturday we see teams making a jump in performance. Normally we are on the back foot on Friday so it's a good thing we have a good Friday but we still need to stay on it and work hard to get better tomorrow." This highlights the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement in the fast-paced environment of 1.

George Russell, finishing 0.933 seconds off the pace, expressed disappointment about the track conditions, noting that Budapest is one of the most enjoyable circuits to drive. He criticized the resurfacing of a third of the track, describing it as poorly executed and bumpy. Russell's comments about the track's condition underline the influence of external factors on car performance, as well as the need for teams to adjust their setups accordingly. He pointed out, "The track is braking up in the last corner so people are driving around the middle of the last corner and not hitting the apex." This indicates a broader issue that could affect multiple teams during the race weekend.

Russell also remarked on the underlying car pace, indicating it did not seem as competitive as in previous races at Silverstone and Spa. This inconsistency can be a critical factor in a championship battle, as teams strive for reliability and performance. He acknowledged, "There is a lot of room to improve. The wind is shifting a lot and that has a real impact into car balance. Hopefully tomorrow will be better." This statement reflects the dynamic nature of racing, where weather conditions can play a significant role in performance.

Antonelli, leading Hamilton by 45 points and Russell by 50, did not complete a qualifying simulation lap during the second session. His first attempt had to be abandoned due to a crash involving Franco Colapinto, and his second attempt was compromised by an error entering the chicane. This series of events illustrates the unpredictable nature of racing, where even minor mistakes can have significant consequences. Antonelli's complaints about rear brake locking further highlight the technical challenges teams face during practice sessions.

Deputy team principal Bradley Lord commented on the session, stating, "Lack of grip and balance, both drivers had to wind some front wing out, but on the long runs looked pretty consistent and competitive compared to the Ferrari, Red Bull and McLarens." This assessment indicates that while the team faced challenges, there were also positive indicators for race pace.

Behind Russell, Red Bull's Isack Hadjar was sixth fastest, ahead of Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson and McLaren's Oscar Piastri. Audi's Nico Hulkenberg and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad completed the top 10. This competitive field reflects the ongoing evolution of 1, where new talent and teams are continually emerging to challenge established competitors.

As the teams prepare for qualifying, the dynamics observed during practice will play a crucial role in shaping strategies and expectations for the remainder of the race weekend. The Hungarian Grand Prix, known for its challenging layout and unique characteristics, promises to deliver an exciting spectacle as teams vie for position and points in the championship standings.