It is the final Formula 1 weekend before the summer break, and the paddock has arrived in Hungary for the start of another action-packed Grand Prix. The sessions will unfold on a completely reconfigured version of the Hungaroring circuit, adding an extra layer of unpredictability. Follow all the developments in our live coverage of Free Practice 1, which marks the beginning of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.
After a promising performance at the Belgian Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari comes to Hungary aiming to take another step forward at a track that offered little satisfaction in the 2024 season. The Maranello-based team is still working to fully understand and exploit its recently introduced rear suspension system, which provides a wider range of setup options compared to the previous version. These Free Practice 1 sessions are expected to serve as a key testing ground for Ferrari to gather data and optimize this crucial new component.
Meanwhile, McLaren enters the weekend as the clear favorite. This is especially true considering their dominant showing last year at the same venue, where they achieved a one-two finish and Oscar Piastri secured his maiden Formula 1 victory. Despite the strong performance on track, there appear to be signs of internal tension within the Woking-based team. Lando Norris has not been performing at his best in recent races, and Oscar Piastri has consistently outshone his British teammate on multiple occasions. It was at this very circuit last season that Norris received team orders to let Piastri through following several on-track misunderstandings—an incident that added fuel to speculation about the team dynamics.
As for Mercedes, the Silver Arrows continue to struggle, trapped in what seems to be a never-ending tunnel of performance issues. Both drivers have reported problems with a car that is overly aggressive at the rear, which in turn compromises front-end grip—something that has made life especially difficult for young rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The new rear suspension introduced at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola appears to offer a very narrow operating window, delivering consistent performance only under extremely specific conditions. Antonelli, who previously scored a podium finish in Canada, even admitted during Thursday’s press conference that the car’s setup limitations are proving difficult to overcome.
Over at Red Bull Racing, the only constant remains Max Verstappen. As always, the Dutch four-time Formula 1 World Champion continues to push the RB21 far beyond its technical limits. However, the car is showing signs of vulnerability compared to McLaren’s MCL39, which has proven to be well-balanced and effective across all track conditions. Still, Verstappen’s exceptional driving has allowed him to consistently battle with Charles Leclerc, particularly in Belgium, where the Ferrari driver was the only one able to mount a real challenge against the dominant Red Bull.
As the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend begins, the fight at the front looks more intense than ever—with Ferrari testing upgrades, McLaren riding momentum, Red Bull relying on Verstappen’s brilliance, and Mercedes struggling for answers. FP1 is more than just a practice session—it’s a glimpse into how the pecking order may evolve on this newly redesigned track.
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