Leclerc seals Hungarian ‘double top’ for Ferrari

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in action during practice of the Hungarian Grand Prix at Hungaroring in Budapest, Hungary, yesterday. Right: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action during practice yesterday. (Reuters)

• Fernando Alonso was sixth for Alpine on 41st birthday ahead of retirement-bound 7-time champion Sebastian Vettel

Charles Leclerc completed a ‘double top’ for Ferrari yesterday when he outpaced McLaren’s Lando Norris in second practice for this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. The 24-year-old Monegasque, showing he has recovered from the trauma of his crashing exit while leading last Sunday’s French Grand Prix, clocked a best lap in one minute and 18.445 seconds, two-tenths clear of Norris. Carlos Sainz, who was fastest in the opening session in his Ferrari, was third, 0.231 adrift, ahead of series leader and world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Daniel Ricciardo, who was fifth in the second McLaren. Two-time champion Fernando Alonso was sixth for Alpine on his 41st birthday ahead of retirement-bound seven-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Aston Martin, his friend and long-time rival. George Russell was a frustrated eighth for Mercedes, after struggling for balance, ahead of Sergio Perez whose frustrations with his Red Bull continued and Valtteri Bottas, 10th for Alfa Romeo. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton also had a difficult day and wound up 11th in the second Mercedes, grumbling about his car’s continuing instability. Last year’s surprise winner Esteban Ocon was 13th in the second Alpine, but might be encouraged by the likelihood of very different conditions today and tomorrow. He took advantage of the conditions last year to claim his maiden victory and was optimistic on arrival in Budapest that a repeat was in prospect. “A million emotions came flooding back as soon as I landed in Budapest,” he said. “One year ago, we achieved something amazing and a dream came true for me. But I want more. We want more. Last push before the summer break.” On a hot and dry afternoon at the Hungaroring, where heavy rain has been forecast and may deliver a stormy qualifying session today, it was Leclerc who took the early initiative. Sainz soon made it a Ferrari one-two at the top before Norris, on softs, took over despite running wide and across the grass and dust at the final corner, endorsing the view that McLaren may find the circuit to their liking. Leclerc regained top spot, but Verstappen and Red Bull appeared to be struggling to match the Ferrari pace and the champion was down in fourth with team-mate Perez ninth with 23 minutes remaining. Mercedes were struggling and with seven minutes to go, Hamilton caught a big snap of oversteer at Turn Four, taking to the run-off area. “The car is unstable,” he reported on team radio. On an unspectacular day of few incidents, Hamilton was not the only driver to struggle for performance as air temperatures soared to 35 degrees. Aston Martin, having introduced a new ‘armchair’ rear wing, appeared to be taking their time to understand its potential with both four-time champion Vettel and Stroll assuming middle order positions. Vettel’s soon-to-be vacant seat was a major topic of paddock speculation and this was not calmed by the 35-year-old German driver’s admission that he had tipped compatriot and protégé Mick Schumacher to succeed him. “I do have my opinion,” he said. “I think very highly of Mick. I’m not entirely objective, of course, because I am very close to him, but I do think he is a great driver and a great learner. But, it is not my decision.”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action during practice yesterday