PRACTICE DEBRIEF: A mixed picture after a disrupted day in Budapest – with the potential for some qualifying surprises


The Hungaroring presented the F1 field with both rain and sunshine across Friday of the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, limiting the teams’ data-gathering ahead of qualifying – which will see an intriguing format change – and the race. An uncertain picture then, as we wade into the data.
Ferrari lead the way on short runs
Charles Leclerc was the driver who topped FP2, shading podium-finisher last time out Lando Norris by just 0.015s. That in the bag, Leclerc and team mate Carlos Sainz were cautiously optimistic on Friday evening – although like every team, they had work to do overnight to increase their comfort levels in the SF-23.
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