Good start to Max' Hungarian GP weekend with second place in FP1
Published on 02 August 2019 by Stefan Meens
Max Verstappen started his Hungarian Grand Prix weekend with an excellent second place in the first Friday free practice session. The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver trailed pace setter Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) by 0.165s. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, completed the top three.
At the start of the session the drivers hurry on to the track as rain drops hit the Hungaroring. The drops do not turn into rain so the slicks are the tyres of choice.
Max is quick from the get go and battles with Hamilton for the top spot in the opening half of FP1. At the halfway mark, Max spins in the final corner. However, after a 360 degree turn, the Dutchman is on his way without any damage.
Valtteri Bottas endures a less fortunate session. His Mercedes needs a power-unit swap and limits the Finn to just one installation lap.
With half an hour to go, Sebastian Vettel ups to pace and joins Hamilton and Max at the top of the leaderboards. In the end, it is championship leader Hamilton that clocks the fastest lap around the Hungaroring, followed by Max and Vettel.
Hungarian GP contest: win an orange RBR 33 t-shirt and Verstappen beach towel
Results first free practice Hungary:
| pos | driver | team | time | gap | laps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | HAM | Mercedes | 1:17.233 | 41 | |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | VER | Red Bull Racing Honda | 1:17.398 | +0.165s | 28 |
| 3 | Sebastian Vettel | VET | Ferrari | 1:17.399 | +0.166s | 25 |
| 4 | Pierre Gasly | GAS | Red Bull Racing Honda | 1:17.682 | +0.449s | 25 |
| 5 | Kevin Magnussen | MAG | Haas Ferrari | 1:17.942 | +0.709s | 31 |
| 6 | Charles Leclerc | LEC | Ferrari | 1:18.188 | +0.955s | 29 |
| 7 | Nico Hulkenberg | HUL | Renault | 1:18.417 | +1.184s | 31 |
| 8 | Lando Norris | NOR | McLaren Renault | 1:18.531 | +1.298s | 34 |
| 9 | Carlos Sainz | SAI | McLaren Renault | 1:18.702 | +1.469s | 23 |
| 10 | Kimi Räikkönen | RAI | Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari | 1:18.787 | +1.554s | 32 |
| 11 | Daniel Ricciardo | RIC | Renault | 1:18.894 | +1.661s | 30 |
| 12 | Romain Grosjean | GRO | Haas Ferrari | 1:18.973 | +1.740s | 32 |
| 13 | Daniil Kvyat | KVY | Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda | 1:18.982 | +1.749s | 33 |
| 14 | Alexander Albon | ALB | Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda | 1:19.223 | +1.990s | 28 |
| 15 | Sergio Perez | PER | Racing Point BWT Mercedes | 1:19.325 | +2.092s | 20 |
| 16 | Antonio Giovinazzi | GIO | Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari | 1:19.488 | +2.255s | 24 |
| 17 | George Russell | RUS | Williams Mercedes | 1:19.649 | +2.416s | 33 |
| 18 | Lance Stroll | STR | Racing Point BWT Mercedes | 1:19.722 | +2.489s | 34 |
| 19 | Robert Kubica | KUB | Williams Mercedes | 1:20.322 | +3.089s | 30 |
| 20 | Valtteri Bottas | BOT | Mercedes | --- | 2 |
