Hungarian GP: Ferrari Dominates Practice as Hamilton Leads the Charge

The 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix weekend kicked off at the Hungaroring with the usual mix of drama and intrigue. Friday's second practice session saw Lewis Hamilton leading the way for Ferrari, edging out his teammate Charles Leclerc. Ferrari's pace seemed formidable, as they topped both practice sessions, leaving other teams playing catch-up.

Hamilton's performance was a reminder of his prowess at this circuit, where he has previously secured pole position nine times. Leclerc wasn't far behind, making it clear that Ferrari is the team to beat this weekend. Meanwhile, McLaren's Lando Norris showed potential by securing third, albeit nearly half a second behind Hamilton.

Not everything went smoothly for everyone, though. Franco Colapinto's session came to an abrupt end when he slid into the barriers at the tricky final corner, damaging his rear wing. Lance Stroll's day was even less eventful, as he couldn't participate due to unresolved suspension issues from FP1.

Aston Martin, with their significant upgrades, had a mixed day. Fernando Alonso managed some laps, but without Stroll, the team couldn't fully evaluate their new package. Over at Mercedes, George Russell finished fifth, but the team still seemed to be searching for optimal performance. Kimi Antonelli, in his second season, struggled with grip and made several mistakes, ending up in 13th.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who was second in FP1, ended FP2 in fourth place, keeping the pressure on Ferrari. He reported issues with his rear axle, which could be a concern moving forward.

As the teams prepare for Saturday's final practice and qualifying, they'll be analyzing data and making adjustments. Conditions could change, and with the possibility of storms on race day, strategy will be key. Ferrari looks to have the upper hand, but in F1, nothing is certain until the checkered flag falls.