PRACTICE DEBRIEF: A mixed picture after a disrupted day in Budapest – with the potential for some qualifying surprises


The Hungaroring presented the F1 field with both rain and sunshine across Friday of the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, limiting the teams’ data-gathering ahead of qualifying – which will see an intriguing format change – and the race. An uncertain picture then, as we wade into the data.
Ferrari lead the way on short runs
Charles Leclerc was the driver who topped FP2, shading podium-finisher last time out Lando Norris by just 0.015s. That in the bag, Leclerc and team mate Carlos Sainz were cautiously optimistic on Friday evening – although like every team, they had work to do overnight to increase their comfort levels in the SF-23.

Unlock exclusive F1 content and more with F1 Unlocked. Totally free.
Membership gets you closer with:
Curated insider content
Live like an F1 insider with exclusive access and VIP experiences
Member benefits, rewards and offers
Next Up
Related Articles
F1 NationListen to our 2025 half-season review
Tech WeeklyThe front-end design behind McLaren’s success
F1 ExplainsHaas boss Ayao Komatsu answers listeners’ questions
Perry McCarthy on life at F1 non-starters Andrea Moda
Music to meet motorsport in Baku for Azerbaijan GP
BarrettoHow Wheatley is re-shaping Sauber into Audi’s works team