Lewis Hamilton 0.25s forward of Crimson Bulls in remaining observe; Lando Norris additionally in combine after setting greatest time on slower medium tyre; watch Hungarian GP stay on Sky Sports activities F1, Qualifying begins at 3pm Saturday; F1 Juniors is stay on Sky Showcase and Sky Sports activities Combine on Sunday
Final Up to date: 22/07/23 1:02pm
Lewis Hamilton lay down a marker forward of Qualifying on the Hungarian GP by comfortably beating each Crimson Bulls to the quickest time in remaining observe.
The seven-time world champion put in a greatest time of 1:17.811 to complete 0.250s forward of championship chief Max Verstappen, whereas Sergio Perez was an additional 0.006s again in third within the different Crimson Bull.
The Hungaroring is a observe Hamilton loves, with the Mercedes driver having gained right here eight occasions throughout his F1 profession. His main time got here with 12 minutes to go within the session as Mercedes lastly bolted on the comfortable tyres for the primary time this weekend, having achieved all their working on medium tyres up till then.
“I believe that was fairly an outstanding lap from Lewis,” Sky Sports activities F1’s Nico Rosberg stated on commentary.
“I believe he is within the zone at one in all his favorite tracks right here.”
Lando Norris may be effectively within the combine in qualifying this afternoon, which will get beneath means at 3pm on Sky Sports activities F1. The McLaren driver was fifth, 0.271s off Hamilton’s benchmark, however set his greatest time on the slower medium tyres.
“This may very well be fairly an thrilling qualifying developing,” Rosberg continued.
“We have Lewis in nice type, Lando in superior type and we do not actually know the place Crimson Bull are right here for the time being, there was plenty of complaining from them out on observe.”
There may be added jeopardy to Saturday afternoon’s qualifying as F1 trials the ‘Different Tyre Allocation’ format for the primary time. Drivers will solely have the ability to use onerous tyres in Q1, solely medium tyres in Q2 and solely comfortable tyres in Q3.
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Toto Wolff reacts to Lewis Hamilton topping Observe Three and offers his verdict on this weekend’s new qualifying format.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff advised Sky Sports activities F1 his drivers had felt the W14 was reworked on the comfortable tyre, and warned forward of Qualifying: “If we’re not good on the medium, you can fall off in Q2, not even make it into Q3 the place we’d be possibly magical.”
Nico Hulkenberg was simply forward of Norris within the Haas, whereas George Russell was behind his compatriot in sixth and three tenths off Mercedes team-mate Hamilton’s main effort.
Friday’s pace-setter Charles Leclerc was solely seventh forward of Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz with the very excessive observe temperature seeing each drivers see their occasions fall away within the latter a part of their laps.
Fernando Alonso had briefly topped the timesheets however ended up ninth, with Valtteri Bottas finishing the highest 10.
Extra to comply with…