According to session data, Hamilton finished ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, who trailed by 0.148 seconds, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli placed 13th, 1.964 seconds off the pace.
Hamilton leads Ferrari pace in Budapest second practice
Lewis Hamilton established himself as a primary contender for the weekend in Budapest after finishing the second practice session fastest. Hamilton, who has won the Grand Prix in Budapest eight times, outpaced his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc by 0.148 seconds. Leclerc had previously held the fastest time during the opening session of the day.
Lando Norris, the previous year’s winner, secured the third-fastest time in his McLaren, finishing 0.499 seconds behind Hamilton. Max Verstappen placed fourth in the Red Bull, while Nico Hülkenberg finished ninth for Audi. Team personnel noted that the indicative value of these practice times is limited, as teams utilized varying fuel loads throughout the sessions.
Championship implications and Antonelli’s session
Kimi Antonelli currently leads the World Drivers’ Championship by 45 points over Hamilton after ten of the 22 scheduled races.
Antonelli’s participation in Friday’s sessions was split. He sat out the first practice session to allow rookie Frederik Vesti to gain mandatory driving experience. Upon returning for the second session, the 19-year-old Italian struggled to match the front-runners, ending the day in 13th position.
Historical context at the Hungaroring
Hamilton’s speed in Budapest aligns with his historical dominance at the venue. Records show he has secured nine pole positions in Hungary, making him a specialist at the tight, twisty circuit.
Formula 1 schedule and summer break
The Hungarian Grand Prix serves as the final hurdle before the series enters a four-week hiatus. Following the conclusion of the Budapest event, the Formula 1 calendar pauses for the summer break. The season will resume on August 23 with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Session 2 Top Results
| Position | Driver | Team | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:18.729 |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.148s |
| 3 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.499s |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | – |
| 13 | Kimi Antonelli | – | +1.964s |
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