Hungarian GP: Carlos Sainz goes fastest in FP1

Carlos Sainz topped the opening practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, with the Spaniard going just over a tenth quicker than Max Verstappen.

The Ferrari car is being tipped to be very strong here in Budapest but, as has been the case for much of the campaign so far, that has not always meant that they have taken victory.

Indeed, Charles Leclerc proved that in very sore circumstances last time out in France, and so only time will tell as to whether they can turn promise into victory this weekend.

Of course, it’s early days anyway to be making predictions and Verstappen isn’t exactly what you call off of the pace, with him setting a time just 0.13 slower than Sainz, whilst Charles Leclerc in the other Ferrari was close to three tenths off of his team-mate’s quickest lap of 1:18.750.

Behind the familiar practice top three, Lando Norris was actually fourth-quickest in the McLaren, ahead of George Russell, Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton.

Norris has been driving well and put his car on P5 for the French Grand Prix last time out, and a repeat performance of that this weekend may well be on the cards if we look at his showing at this early stage.

The other McLaren of Daniel Ricciardo also looked quick, with the Aussie in P8, whilst their rivals for fourth in the Constructors’ championship, Alpine, saw both of their cars complete the top ten with Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso in P9 and P10 respectively.