Hungarian GP – Friday Summary: “Irrelevant” FP2, Alfa hearing & Max vs Lewis
F1 News
- Bevan Youl
Lewis Hamilton branded the afternoon practice session “irrelevant” after topping FP1 as Red Bull took a one-two in FP2 during the rain. A date for Alfa Romeo’s appeal to their German Grand Prix penalties was confirmed while who’s better? Max Verstappen or Hamilton? Was a hot topic while the Spanish Grand Prix looks to be appearing again in 2020.
FP1 and FP2
Hamilton set the pace in FP1 as Verstappen, who spun twice throughout the session, and Sebastian Vettel sat closely behind. Valtteri Bottas had to sit the morning out after an engine issue, opting to cut across the pit lane to avoid another lap. SportPesa Racing Point enjoyed a spin on the track as Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez both spun. Kevin Magnussen looked good for Haas as he finished P5 ahead of Leclerc while the rest of the midfield followed.
FP2 was brought to a halt after five minutes after Alexander Albon crashed his Toro Rosso. But before that Hamilton set impressive times around the Hungaroring on hard tyres before Pierre Gasly set the fastest time ahead of his teammate. Rain came and action on track was lacking from there on with the odd driver using intermediate tyres to get some laps in around the track.
Full FP2 Report here
Alfa Romeo Appeal hearing date confirmed
After both Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi were hand 30-second time penalties for clutch offences at the start of the German Grand Prix a date has been confirmed for the hearing of their appeal. Alfa believe they have the evidence to win “otherwise you wouldn’t do it,” says sporting director Beat Zehnder. The hearing will take place in Paris on September 24.
Read the full story here
Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton?
Christian Horner has weighed in on the debate between whether Verstappen or Hamilton is the better driver on the grid. “Max’s speed has never been challenged,” Horner said after initially started the debate by saying the Dutchman would beat the Brit in the same car but couldn’t see the two of them working in the same team.
Read the full story here
Spanish Grand Prix confirmed for 2020
A spokesperson from the Catalan government has claimed that an agreement has been with Formula 1 for the Spanish Grand Prix to remain at the Circuit de Catalunya for another year. With race in the Netherlands and Vietnam coming next year the Spanish GP looked as though it could have been dropped. The spokesperson said: “we have authorised the signing of the extension of the contract with Formula 1 for 2020.”