Strong Start in Practice Sessions
Liam Lawson has commenced the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix weekend with encouraging performances, securing top 10 finishes in both free practice sessions on Friday. The driver for Racing Bulls demonstrated strong form, particularly in the second practice session (FP2), where he placed seventh. This follows a period where an upgrade package was missed in Belgium, which had ended a streak of five consecutive points finishes for the Kiwi driver.
The updates to Lawson’s Racing Bulls car appear to have yielded positive results on the high downforce circuit. His best lap time in FP2 was 1m 20.041s, positioning him 1.312s behind Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton’s leading time of 1m 18.729s. Lawson also outpaced his teammate, Arvid Lindblad, by 0.212s in FP2, with Lindblad finishing 10th.
In the initial practice session (FP1), Lawson’s performance was also within the top 10. His fastest time of 1m 20.866s was sufficient for 10th place, 1.791s off the pace set by Charles Leclerc. The presence of five rookies participating through Formula One’s young driver programme slightly influenced the standings in FP1. Frederik Vesti of Mercedes was the top rookie, securing seventh place with a lap of 1m 20.467s.
Team Performance and Car Adjustments
Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane noted a significant change made by Lawson during FP2 that contributed to the team’s strong showing. Permane described Friday’s outing as “not straightforward,” with the car proving challenging in FP1. More adjustments than usual were made between sessions to address these issues. Lawson’s modification for his final lap on soft tyres in FP2 was particularly effective, improving the car’s rear end stability.
Permane indicated that the team is focusing on medium-speed sections and ensuring a stable car on entries with good traction in the last sector, which is crucial at the Hungaroring. Despite the challenges, the team believes they are in decent shape and plan further refinements in FP3. Lawson himself expressed contentment with the day’s running and optimism for Saturday’s qualifying, aiming to reach Q3.
The team’s upgrade package, introduced in Belgium, seems to be benefiting both drivers. Lindblad, who received the upgrades for Belgium ahead of Lawson, finished ninth at Spa-Francorchamps. This helped solidify Red Bull’s sister team as a contender for the ‘best of the rest’ position among teams outside the top four.
Lawson’s efforts to improve his best time in FP1 were interrupted when he had to abort a lap on fresh soft tyres. This occurred after Lance Stroll lost control of his Aston Martin at turn two, leading to a suspension failure and a red flag. This incident prevented Lawson from completing his intended lap.
Looking Ahead to Qualifying
FP2 times are often considered more indicative of qualifying performance due to similar track conditions. Both Ferrari cars showed strong pace on Friday, with Charles Leclerc topping FP1 and finishing 0.148s behind his teammate in FP2. World championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who sat out the opening session, finished 1.964s off Hamilton’s FP2 time, though he did not get the opportunity to set a lap on soft tyres.
Lawson is well-positioned to potentially match or improve upon his eighth-place finish at this race last year. Teams will have one final practice session on Saturday night before qualifying begins. Qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix is scheduled for 2am on Sunday morning (NZT).
The Hungaroring is known as a challenging track, making it difficult for drivers to put together a perfect lap. Lawson enjoys racing at the circuit and is eager to return to the track for further sessions. The team will be working overnight to make necessary changes to maximise their chances in qualifying.
Source: racingnews365.com
