Hungarian Grand Prix: Practice Session 2 Report
McLaren Dominates Practice with Norris Leading the Charge
Lando Norris maintained momentum in the second practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, extending his lead over teammate Oscar Piastri to 0.291 seconds. While the pair were closely matched during the first practice, Norris showcased superior pace with a strong low-fuel run on soft tires. Despite a near-mishap at the final corner, where he briefly lost control, Norris demonstrated resilience and control to finish at the top.
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari trailed in third place, finishing 0.4 seconds behind Norris and only narrowly ahead of Lance Stroll in fourth, who contributed to a strong Aston Martin showing this weekend compared to previous rounds.
Returning to action after missing FP1 due to a back injury, Fernando Alonso executed an effective session, completing 25 laps and placing himself alongside Stroll within the top five.
Max Verstappen experienced an unusual scenario during a generally uncompetitive session, finding a balaclava in his cockpit. He chose to dispose of it trackside, prompting a stewards’ investigation into potential unsafe conditions regarding the release of his car. Verstappen ended the session in 14th, over 0.3 seconds slower than teammate Yuki Tsunoda and reported severe handling issues, stating, “I don’t know what’s going on, it’s just undrivable."
In comparison, Red Bull’s pace appeared concerning, particularly in long-run simulations, with Verstappen averaging 0.8 seconds per lap slower than Piastri. Mercedes also faced challenges, with George Russell, who finished seventh overall, struggling over a second off the McLaren pace during his race simulation.
Session Results
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – Fastest Lap
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.291s
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.4s
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – Close behind Leclerc
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – Made a solid return
This session sets the stage for an intriguing qualifying and race weekend ahead, with McLaren showing impressive form as the competition navigates early hurdles.
