Russell Reigns in Rain-Soaked Practice as Perez Crashes Out Early

The highly anticipated Hungarian Grand Prix weekend roared to a challenging start at the Hungaroring, with a rain-affected Free Practice 1 session setting a dramatic tone. In conditions that proved treacherous for many, Mercedes’ George Russell masterfully navigated the wet track to emerge as the fastest driver, posting a commendable time of 1’38.795. His impressive performance offered an early glimpse into Mercedes’ potential in mixed weather, a crucial advantage as teams grapple with the unpredictable nature of the Budapest circuit.

However, the session’s narrative was dominated by an unfortunate incident involving Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez. Kicking off his weekend on the worst possible note, Perez crashed out within the opening minutes of the session, significantly curtailing his track time and leaving his team with a substantial repair job ahead of Free Practice 2. This early setback for the Mexican driver, who has faced increasing pressure to improve his form, highlighted the fine margins and unforgiving nature of Formula 1, especially in challenging conditions.

The Hungaroring, renowned for its tight, twisty layout and often sweltering summer heat, typically presents a unique challenge to drivers and engineers alike. Its lack of long straights places a premium on mechanical grip and aerodynamic downforce, making it a true test of car balance and driver precision. As the paddock arrived for the Hungarian Grand Prix, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation, not just for the on-track action but also for the crucial introduction of a new ‘Alternative Tyre Allocation’ format being trialled this weekend. This experimental rule aimed to reduce the number of dry weather tyre sets available to teams, forcing more strategic decisions, but the looming threat of rain suggested that tyre strategy might quickly become a secondary concern for FP1.

As cars peeled out of the pit lane for their installation laps, the sky above Budapest was overcast, hinting at the precipitation to come. Among those eager to get going was Daniel Ricciardo, marking his official return to a Formula 1 session since his departure from McLaren at the end of last year. Piloting the AlphaTauri AT04 for the first time in a competitive setting, the Australian was quick to embark on a push lap, keen to accumulate valuable kilometres and get a feel for his new machinery. His return was one of the weekend’s most talked-about storylines, with fans and pundits alike eager to see how the ‘Honey Badger’ would fare.

Before Ricciardo could even complete his first flying lap, however, the session was abruptly red-flagged, sending a ripple of concern through the pit lane. The reason soon became clear: Sergio Perez’s Red Bull RB19 lay stricken in the tyre wall at Turn 5. The incident unfolded rapidly; Perez, pushing hard on cold tyres, lost control of his car as he ventured slightly wide, clipping the grass under braking. This momentary lapse in judgment sent his car spinning uncontrollably into the barriers, causing significant damage to the front of his updated RB19. The sight of a Red Bull driver crashing so early in a session, especially one introducing new upgrades, was a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Hungaroring and the immense pressure on the drivers. For Perez, who has been under scrutiny for a string of inconsistent performances, this was an inauspicious start that would undoubtedly raise more questions about his championship aspirations.

As the remaining cars returned to the pit lane under the red flag, the heavens truly opened. A sudden and torrential downpour engulfed the circuit, transforming the dry asphalt into a slick, treacherous surface within minutes. A few brave drivers, sensing an opportunity for a final dry-ish lap, attempted to venture back out, only to find the conditions deteriorating at an alarming rate. The final sector, in particular, was quickly saturated, making any semblance of grip impossible. Valtteri Bottas provided a vivid demonstration of the perilous conditions, spinning at Turn 12, an incident that served as a clear warning to all. With visibility reduced and aquaplaning a serious risk, all cars wisely retreated to the safety of their garages, hunkering down to await a reprieve from the relentless rain.

The session remained technically ‘green’ despite the heavy rain, but for a considerable period, the leaderboard remained entirely empty. No driver was willing to risk their car in the near-monsoon conditions. The track was too wet for intermediates and far too wet for slicks, creating a prolonged lull in action. The silence, broken only by the patter of rain and the occasional garage chatter, was a testament to the extreme caution exercised by teams. It wasn’t until well under 20 minutes remained on the clock that any driver dared to break the deadlock. It was Valtteri Bottas, once again, who showed commendable bravery and track knowledge, venturing out on intermediate tyres and setting the first meaningful time of the session: a 1’47.787. This initial benchmark finally sparked some life back into what had been a largely static practice session.

Bottas’s time was soon surpassed by the two Williams drivers, Logan Sargeant and Alexander Albon, both showing encouraging pace in the tricky conditions, underlining the potential of the FW45 in low-grip scenarios. However, just as the session seemed to be finding its rhythm, it was suspended for a second time. This time, it was Carlos Sainz Jnr who found trouble, losing control of his Ferrari SF-23 on the exit of Turn 3. His car aquaplaned and spun, ultimately beaching itself on the outside kerb. While not as impactful as Perez’s crash, it necessitated a brief interruption as marshals were deployed to extricate the red machine. After swift assistance from the trackside team, the Ferrari was freed, and Sainz was able to return to the pit lane under his own power, allowing the session to quickly resume for its final, frantic minutes.

With the clock ticking down and the track slowly drying enough for intermediate tyres to become genuinely effective, around half the field opted to brave the conditions in the final ten minutes. This late surge of activity led to a flurry of improvements and a rapidly changing leaderboard, providing a captivating end to an otherwise disjointed session. The Aston Martin duo of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll initially set the pace, with Alonso demonstrating his characteristic wet-weather prowess to go two-tenths quicker than his teammate. However, their reign at the top was short-lived. George Russell, sensing an opportunity, unleashed a rapid lap to depose Alonso from the summit with approximately two minutes remaining, showcasing Mercedes’ strength. The drama wasn’t over yet.

In the dying moments, as the chequered flag loomed, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who has been increasingly impressive, broke the elusive 1’40 barrier, momentarily snatching the fastest time and moving his McLaren MCL60 to the top of the overall standings. It was a testament to McLaren’s recent resurgence and Piastri’s growing confidence. But the final word belonged to George Russell. With a last-gasp effort, crossing the line just after the chequered flag had fallen, Russell reclaimed the top spot, ending Free Practice 1 as the fastest driver. Piastri ultimately secured a commendable second place, underscoring his strong form, while Lance Stroll held on for third, a solid result for Aston Martin. McLaren’s Lando Norris rounded out the top four, reinforcing the Woking team’s current momentum and their comfort in varied conditions.

The final standings saw Alonso settle for fifth fastest, followed by Valtteri Bottas, who continued to show strong form for Alfa Romeo. Charles Leclerc secured seventh for Ferrari, with Zhou Guanyu completing a strong showing for Alfa Romeo in eighth. Logan Sargeant and Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top 10 positions, highlighting some unexpected performances in the tricky conditions. Critically, several high-profile drivers failed to register a timed lap due to the disruptive nature of the session. Championship leader Max Verstappen, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, and the unfortunate Sergio Perez all ended FP1 without a time on the board. This lack of data and track time for some of the grid’s biggest names could have significant implications for their preparation for qualifying and the race, adding another layer of intrigue to what is already shaping up to be an unpredictable Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Teams will be meticulously analyzing the limited data gathered, hoping for drier conditions in FP2 to fully assess their car setups and the impact of any upgrades.

2023 Hungarian Grand Prix first practice result

2023 Hungarian Grand Prix

• Was F1’s Alternative Tyre Allocation test successful? Drivers and teams have their say
• How far can McLaren climb with car rivals now say is the second-fastest in F1?
• Why Ricciardo says McLaren’s car “speaks Lando’s language” – but Norris disagrees
• Mercedes reveal cooling error behind loss of pace in Hungarian GP
• Perez answered critics in Hungary but needs to qualify better – Horner

Browse all 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix articles