Lewis Hamilton put Ferrari at the top of the timesheets in the second practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, leading Charles Leclerc in a one-two that confirmed the SF-26’s speed at the Hungaroring. However, the seven-time world champion warned that Ferrari still has areas to improve before the decisive qualifying and race sessions.
Ferrari’s performance over a single lap provided the headline, but the longer runs offered a slightly more measured picture. The SF-26 remained stable and competitive with a heavier fuel load, although Kimi Antonelli appeared capable of matching the two Ferrari drivers’ race pace. Lewis Hamilton therefore knows that track position and qualifying performance could prove crucial during the rest of the weekend.
Lewis Hamilton leads Ferrari one-two in Hungarian GP FP2
Lewis Hamilton was the leading figure in Friday’s second practice session in Hungary. The British driver produced the fastest lap of the session to finish ahead of Charles Leclerc, completing a Ferrari one-two and underlining the potential of the SF-26 around the Hungarian circuit.
The result formed part of a highly encouraging opening day for the Scuderia, with the data suggesting that Ferrari may still have more performance to unlock. The SF-26’s competitiveness was also consistent with expectations that its strength through low-speed corners could suit the Hungaroring.
Lewis Hamilton also demonstrated consistent pace during the session. However, Ferrari’s race simulations, while positive, were slightly less encouraging than its single-lap performance. The SF-26 looked stable and competitive with a high fuel load, but Kimi Antonelli, at least, appeared to be operating at a similar level to the two Ferrari drivers.
That competitive long-run picture explains why Lewis Hamilton referred to areas that still require improvement. With overtaking traditionally difficult at the Hungaroring, starting position and Saturday’s qualifying performance are expected to carry particular importance.
Lewis Hamilton identifies further work for Ferrari
“Overall, it was a positive day: the conditions were quite challenging, with the wind making things a little more complicated and the track quite bumpy in places,” Lewis Hamilton said after Friday practice in Hungary.
“The car behaved better in the second session and we made good progress between the two sessions, although there are still some areas in which we need to improve. This evening, we will analyse all the data, continue working on the balance of the car and hopefully find a little more performance for tomorrow.”
Lewis Hamilton’s comments reflected a productive day in which Ferrari made clear progress between FP1 and FP2. The team must now refine the SF-26’s balance and determine how much of its Friday advantage can be retained when its rivals increase the pace in qualifying.
Ferrari’s Friday pace comes with a familiar warning
Setting Friday’s fastest time strengthens Lewis Hamilton’s ambitions for the remainder of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. The seven-time world champion appears to be developing an increasingly strong feeling with Ferrari, but qualifying and the race will determine whether those promising signs can be converted into a significant result at the Hungaroring.
Ferrari also arrived in Hungary aware that strong practice results offer no guarantees. The Maranello team recorded two one-two finishes during Friday practice in Monte Carlo, only for Kimi Antonelli to beat the Ferraris in both qualifying and the race.
That experience supports the caution surrounding Ferrari’s latest performance. The team had already approached the Hungarian weekend with confidence while recognising that Friday speed alone would not settle the competitive order. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have now established a promising foundation, but Ferrari’s next task is to carry that pace into the sessions that decide the outcome of the weekend.
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