The first free practice of the Grand Prix of Hungary had literally fallen into the water. The session started dry, but after about ten minutes it started to rain harder and harder. For a long time there was no time on the clock, but in the end it went wild. In the end, Mercedes driver George Russell set the fastest time.
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At the start of this free practice, the spotlights were on Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the AlphaTauri. The replacement for the dismissed Nyck de Vries was the first to go on track. The seven-time GP winner was unable to do much due to the rain.
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Sergio Perez threw himself into a further form crisis by going off the track on his very first lap after a major error of judgement. His Red Bull filled the tire stacks. Because of all the rubble, the red flag was waved. In the pit box, Perez looked dazed after being brought back by a scooter and licked his wounds.
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After a short break, the session resumed with approximately 48 minutes remaining. No one had set a time yet. In the meantime, some raindrops also fell down. The ‘green’ circuit was treacherous and the drivers were testing how fast they could go.
The rain showers got worse and worse. All drivers on dry weather tires dived back in. Some drivers, including Hamilton, made an attempt on the rain tires, but it remained a formation lap.
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With eighteen minutes on the clock, Valtteri Bottas still tried. The Finn employed by Alfa Romeo was the first of a total of twenty drivers to set a time after a lot of slipping and sliding. Shortly afterwards, Ricciardo started a flying lap, but had to abort it immediately after Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz crashed his car. The race management immediately pressed the ‘red’ button again and the session was interrupted for the second time.
After the track was released again, many drivers decided to give it another try with all the risks that entailed. Max Verstappen no longer felt the need to set a time and got out with just over five minutes.
The Aston Martins were looking forward to it and Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll drove to P1 and P2 in the time sheet. In the end, Russell and Piastri passed them.
Hungaroring – 21 July 2023
2023-07-21 12:35:10
#FP1 #Hungary #Russell #fastest #rain #Perez #Sainz #crash
