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Formula 1
Hungarian GP
F1 Hungarian GP Live Commentary and Updates – FP3 & Qualifying
Updates from the Saturday practice and qualifying sessions at the Hungaroring for the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix
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Following Charles Leclerc’s crash while leading last weekend’s French GP, Max Verstappen picked up the win and extended his F1 world championship lead to 63 points over his Ferrari rival.
But the main talking point in the F1 paddock has been Sebastian Vettel’s announcement that he will retire from F1 at the end of 2022.
The Hungarian GP marks the final race before F1’s summer break.
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That means Russell is currently on the bubble in 10th, with Hamilton just outside the cut-off zone in 11th. Stroll is 12th, then Magnussen, Schumacher and Perez.
The Alpines now show their hand as Alonso goes second on 1m17.904s, and Ocon goes sixth - with Ricciardo moving into fourth behind his team-mate and Zhou a high-flying fifth in the Alfa.
Verstappen is the only man so far to lap under 1m18s, with a 1m17.703s lap that has him 0.418s ahead of Norris and over a second clear of the Ferraris.
And Verstappen takes the top spot away from Norris, but Perez can't beat the McLaren's time and is only third - even before his time is deleted for track limits at Turn 5.
Leclerc is the quicker of the Ferrari pair ahead of Sainz, both slotting in ahead of the Mercedes, but look who is ahead of the red cars - it's Norris in the McLaren! A 1m18.121s for the Briton puts him P1 with the Red Bulls still to go.
There's a hefty lock-up into Turn 1 from Hamilton on his first flyer, and he trails team-mate Russell - although both beat the Haas cars that were first to run, with Magnussen quicker than Schumacher.
As a reminder, we've lost Tsunoda, Albon, Vettel, Gasly and Latifi. That leaves 15 cars gunning for the 10 available slots in Q3 to go for pole position.
Green flag
And we're underway now for Q2.
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Sainz was third and best Ferrari in Q1, while Leclerc ended up eighth. Let's see who has the upper-hand come the decisive Q3 session - that is, assuming both navigate the perils of Q2 coming up.
Mercedes first and second then in FP1, with Hamilton ahead of Russell. This remember is the track where Hamilton scored a win in his most recalcitrant of F1 cars, the 2009 MP4-24, so could a turnaround in fortunes be on the cards with the W13?
Not a good session then for AlphaTauri, with both cars falling at the first hurdle. Gasly did set a 1m19.116s which would have been good enough for 13th but exceeded track limits at Turn 5.
Joining him in the drop zone are Tsunoda, Albon, Vettel and Gasly - Tsunoda just 0.035s slower than Stroll, who makes it through to Q2 in 15th by the skin of his teeth. Albon just 0.051s down will start 17th, and Vettel 0.068s off will be 18th. Tiny margins.
Checkered flag
Latifi went purple in sector one on his final lap, but ends up 20th and is knocked out as Q1 draws to a close. What a difference a few hours makes after going fastest in the drying FP3.
Ricciardo, Ocon and Bottas look to have got themselves out of danger. They're currently P6, P8 and P9 respectively.
Times are improving everywhere. Hamilton now goes fastest on 1m18.374s, with Russell slotting into second ahead of Sainz in third.
Less than three minutes to go now, and currently in the drop zone are Albon, Bottas, Ocon, Ricciardo and Tsunoda.
That's more like it from the Haas pair. Magnussen and Schumacher now go P9 and P10 respectively. Another big improver is Zhou, up to fifth in the Alfa.
Magnussen is given a temporary reprieve though as Tsunoda loses his best effort thus far, a 1m19.904s, for track limits. That drops the AlphaTauri man back into the drop zone.
Schumacher is yet to post a laptime as his only effort thus far, a 1m20.905, was deleted for track limits. His team-mate Magnussen is now in the drop zone in 16th as Stroll has lifted himself up to ninth.
Leclerc responds to stave off any concern from the Ferrari pitwall to go second on a 1m18.806s, although that is quickly beaten by Sainz on a 1m18.561s. Verstappen has improved again meanwhile and stays top on a 1m18.509s.
Tsunoda improves to 12th, lifting him out of the drop zone. And head of Leclerc, who has slipped down to a precarious-looking 13th spot. Now in the drop zone are Zhou, Latifi, Stroll, Vettel and Schumacher.
Norris now improves to go second on 1m18.998s, joining Verstappen under the 1m19s bracket with the reigning world champion managing a 1m18.792s.
Currently in the drop zone are defending Hungary winner Ocon, Vettel, Tsunoda, Gasly and Schumacher.
Ricciardo's opening gambit puts the 2014 Hungary winner into eighth, just ahead of Leclerc - who is only ninth! Sainz fares better, but not by much and is only fourth as Perez and Russell improve to go second and third.
Bottas goes again and makes a big improvement to go third on 1m19.626s. What will the Ferraris do?
Norris goes straight into second place on 1m19.534s, while Alonso goes fifth ahead of Perez on 1m19.823s.
The Ferraris now enter the fray as the McLaren and Alpine drivers attempt their first flying laps.
Russell slots into third behind his team-mate on 1m19.817s, with Perez fourth on 1m19.839s. Bottas is fifth for now, ahead of Stroll, Magnussen, Tsunoda and Zhou.
Hamilton now takes his turn at the top on a 1m19.732s, but that is blown away by Verstappen on 1m19.020s.
That is bettered by Stroll on 1m20.240s before Bottas is the first to dip under 80s with a 1m19.930s.
First to set a time is the Haas of Kevin Magnussen, who clocks a 1m20.388s.
Everybody except for the McLarens, Ferraris and Alpines are currently on track.
Green flag
And we're underway for qualifying. No messing about, everybody to emerge so far is on softs.
Just over a minute to go until the all-important qualifying session gets underway. Tension is rising.
The cameras positioned at Turn 1 are showing some huge dark clouds beyond the final corner. Even if the weather holds for qualifying, it doesn't seem likely to hold off for much longer...
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Vettel, who acquaplaned into the Turn 10 tyre barrier to cause a late red flag in FP3 earlier, is back aboard his Aston Martin which appears to have been repaired.
Rain
We're informed by the timing screens that there is a 30% chance of rain in this session, which is just enough to give you that grain of doubt.
Should Hamilton take the top spot in qualifying today, he would become the first driver in F1 history to claim nine pole positions at the same circuit. He is currently the joint record-holder courtesy of his eight poles at the Hungaroring and Melbourne's Albert Park, together with Ayrton Senna at Imola and Michael Schumacher at Suzuka.
By: autosport.com
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