Lewis Hamilton started this weekend in the best way possible by topping first practice at the Hungaroring.
At a circuit which Hamilton has won at on four previous occasions, Hamilton continued his love affair with the Hungaroring and looks to be the man to beat once again.
Opening practice was interrupted by two red flag periods due to Sergio Perez crashing and Kimi Raikkonen suffering a front wing failure.
Predictably, Nico Rosberg was Hamilton’s closest challenger in first practice with only one tenth separating the two Mercedes drivers.
Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was the best of the rest ahead of the Red Bull duo of Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat.
After suffering an electric cable problem, Sebastian Vettel missed out on the opening 30 minutes of practice however set the sixth fastest time.
With thirty minutes remaining, Sergio Perez crashed his Force India at turn 11 resulting in a red flag. Fortunately the Mexican walked away from the crash unharmed.
Williams have introduced a revised front wing this weekend which Valtteri Bottas will use. The Finn was six tenths quicker than team-mate Massa.
The Hungaroring does not require pure engine performance thus McLaren expect a better result this weekend. Alonso and Button were just outside the top ten in eleventh and twelfth.
2013 GP2 champion Fabio Leimer made his Formula One début for Manor F1 by replacing Roberto Merhi. The Swiss driver was nine-tenths slower than Will Stevens.
With four minutes to go, a second red flag period occurred after Raikkonen’s front wing detached from his Ferrari after he ran over the kerb at turn 12.
Images Courtesy of Mercedes F1 Team
