FP2: Norris heads Verstappen in second practice at the Hungaroring

F1 Grand Prix, GP Hungary, Hungaroring

McLaren driver Lando Norris headed reigning champion Max Verstappen in the second one-hour practice session at the Hungarian Grand Prix. F1Technical’s lead jounalist Balazs Szabo reports on FP2 from the Hungaroring.

McLaren’s Lando Norris set the benchmark in the second practice, posting a blistering lap time of 1m17.788s. Reigning champion Max Verstappen looked comfortable in his heavily-upgraded RB20, ending the session second quickest, just over two tenths of a second slower than Norris.

Carlos Sainz took third, but the Ferrari man appeared to struggle on his race simulation.

Sergio Perez struggled for pace in recent months, but the second practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix saw the Mexican finally display an encouraging performance. The Red Bull man ended up fourth, from Russell in P5, Kevin Magnussen in P6, Lewis Hamilton in P7.

Visa Cash RB driver Daniel Ricciardo racked up a total of 19 laps of which his quickest tour was enough for him to take eighth. His team-mate Yuki Tsunoda took 19th after his car underwent suspension change in the early stages of the session.

After a tough opening session, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly took P14 and P16, separated by the Haas of Hulkenberg in P15.

Alonso ended the session in P10 while his team-mate, Lance Stroll, who was running the updates on his Aston Martin that had earlier been bolted onto the Spaniard’s car – ended the hour down in P17.

Charles Leclerc completed only 9 laps to end up 18th quickest. The Monegasque had a serious incident with around 44 minutes left on the clock.

The Ferrari man took too much kerb heading into Turn 4 and subsequently spun off the track into the barriers. Fortunately the Monegasque emerged unharmed, while his stricken Ferrari was recovered by the marshals. The session was red-flagged as not only the Ferrarihad to be cleared, but the fences also required some repair job.