Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) set the fastest time in the second free practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix, 11th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, on Friday at the Hungaroring circuit (4.381 km) in Budapest.
The rain which had disrupted the 1st session earlier in the day no longer fell for the 2nd, allowing the drivers to set much better times.
Sergio Perez, who had crashed out early in the previous session damaging his Red Bull, saw it repaired in time to take part in the next one. But he once again distinguished himself by an impressive wheel lock during braking, again demonstrating the difficulties he encountered in controlling his single-seater while his Dutch teammate Max Verstappen crushed the championship.
The Mexican had to settle for 18th time, Verstappen getting him 11th, far from his usual performance on a circuit that does not favor the Red Bulls, dominating since the start of the season.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who returns to F1 with Alpha Tauri after several months of absence, set the 14th time for his return. His compatriot Oscar Piastri, who had replaced him at McLaren at the end of the last season, experienced some setbacks by damaging his car and only achieved the 19th and penultimate time.
The other McLaren driver, the Briton Lando Norris, confirmed the return to form of the orange single-seaters, after their good results at the previous GP of Great Britain, by obtaining the 2nd time behind Leclerc and in front of the Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Alpine).
Result of the 2nd free practice session of the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix:
1. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:17.686 (20 laps)
2. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:17.701 (30)
3. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:17.918 (26)
4. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:17.934 (31)
5. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:18.045 (30)
6. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1:18.058 (29)
7. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari ) 1:18.085 (29)
8. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:18.105 (32)
9. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari ) 1:18.108 (31)
10. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) 1:18.182 (20)
11.Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:18.279 (18)
12. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:18.319 (33)
13. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:18.377 (32)
14.Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:18.385 (30)
15.Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:18.504 (27)
16.Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:18.746 (28)
17.Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:18.836 (30)
18.Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:18.978 (14)
19.Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:19.117 (18)
20.George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:19.175 (23)