F1 Hungarian GP live commentary and updates – Race day
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IT IS HE
Leclerc has pulled out a lead of 2.85s over Piastri, who has been informed that the Ferrari seems to be pushing the pace too much... and that other drivers are contemplating a one-stop. Oscar seems un-keen on that.
Norris has set the fastest lap of the race and is now within DRS range of Russell (P3), who is 2.27s off Piastri.
Bortoleto has been exonerated
No further investigation into the Bortoleto start.
He's got a busy race on his hands, though. Alonso in front of him has dropped off the leading foursome to the tune of over 7s. Fernando is now leading a veritable conga line of cars - P5 to Tsunoda in P19.
Isack Hadjar had an eventful opening lap and is reporting on the radio that his hand has been injured in a gravel strike. He's currently P11.
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Hulkenberg has been into the pits anyway - straight off those softs and on to mediums. He's now right at the back, 17s off Tsunoda in P19.
HULKENBERG ALSO 'NOTED'
Both Saubers now being examined for startline infractions.
BOO FOR BORTOLETO
As Max Verstappen occupies his mirrors, there's more bad news for Gabriel Bortoleto - he's been 'noted' for moving before the lights went out.
Norris passes Alonso for P4 at Turn 1 at the beginning of Lap 3.
Verstappen has already passed Liam Lawson for P8, now he mugs Lance Stroll up the inside into Turn 6.
Leclerc leading comfortably for now
Charles made a clean start and then had less to worry about than he otherwise might into Turn 1, thanks to the internecine battle between the two McLarens.
It's currently Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Alonso, Norris, Bortoleto, Stroll, Verstappen, Lawson and Bearman in the top 10.
AND WE'RE OFF
What a belter of a start! Lando Norris went to the inside to try to challenge team-mate Oscar Piastri into Turn 1, had to back out of it, and ended up losing out to George Russell and Fernando Alonso as they filtered around Turns 2 and 3.
TYRE CORNER
And as the tyre covers come off, we see most of the field on mediums - apart from Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly on hards, and Carlos Sainz, Nico Hulkenberg and Alex Albon on softs.
STATS CORNER
Those who care about meaningless statistics will be delighted to know that this is Ferrari's first pole position at the Hungaroring since Sebastian Vettel won from there in 2017.
Not that this counts as any sort of operational intelligence but some people love such gems of knowledge.
STRATEGY CORNER
Pirelli have shared their prognostications for potential tyre strategies – or 'sdradder-gies' as per those dossers in broadcasting who pronounce their 't's as 'd's...
Front or rear Axl?
We all know Red Bull's pit crew has had some problems with the wheel guns lately. Perhaps now they'll be coming up roses?
W. Axl Rose and the Red Bull pit crew
Photo by: Ronald Vording
GET IN THE RING
Over on Sky, Martin Brundle is having a more proftable grid walk than usual and has bumped into a whole host of unusually loquacious celebrities, including one W. Axl Rose, who will be waving the chequered flag (not that he seems to know whether this will be at the beginning or end of the race).
Famously, in the dog days of the 1990s, Rose would insist on having arrows on the floor between his 'green room' and the stage so that he would not have to look anyone in the eye...
WELCOME TO RACE DAY IN HUNGARY
Charles Leclerc starts on pole for Ferrari, Yuki Tsunoda starts from the pitlane for Red Bull - be prepared for a whole lot of action inbetween. At the moment it's warm at the Hungaroring and looking like the rain will hold off.
By: Stuart Codling
