Hungarian Grand Prix: Drama, Tensions, and Major Insights from Friday’s Action

The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend has started with a bang, bringing drama, speculation, and crucial developments. From Max Verstappen’s struggles on track to a surprising towel incident, to the ongoing saga at Ferrari and Mercedes’ suspension issues, there’s plenty to unpack. Here’s everything you need to know from the opening day of practice and how these storylines might play out over the weekend.

Max Verstappen’s Struggles and the Towel Incident

Max Verstappen, despite confirming his future at Red Bull until 2026, had a challenging Friday at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Dutchman was not at his best during both Free Practice 1 (FP1) and Free Practice 2 (FP2), facing issues with his car balance, speed, and long-run performance. On top of the on-track performance woes, Verstappen became involved in a strange incident during FP2 where he was seen throwing a towel out of his car mid-session.

While this might seem like a minor issue, the FIA and the stewards took the incident seriously. Verstappen was investigated for what was deemed an “unsafe release” from the pit lane. The towel, which had slipped from his lap during a pit stop, was thrown out of the car in a bid to clear it from the cockpit. The risk, of course, was that the towel could have obstructed Verstappen’s control of the car or caused a hazard for other drivers. Ultimately, Verstappen wasn’t penalized, but the incident certainly raised eyebrows. The team’s oversight in leaving the towel in the car was a mistake, but Verstappen’s decision to throw it out on track didn’t seem to create any real danger, as he made sure to place it away from the racing line.

Despite the towel mishap, Verstappen’s problems on track were more concerning. His lap times were inconsistent, and he couldn’t find a solid rhythm throughout the session. Even though Red Bull has a history of recovering their setup issues overnight, Friday’s performance was a wake-up call. Verstappen finished in P9 for FP1, a far cry from his usual dominance. This could signal trouble for the team heading into the weekend, as the Hungarian circuit has not been historically kind to Red Bull in recent years, despite their overall dominance in the 2023 season.

Ferrari’s Leadership Decision: A Lifeline for Fred Vasseur?

Meanwhile, at Ferrari, the tension surrounding team principal Fred Vasseur’s future continued to make headlines. The team’s performance in 2023 has been underwhelming, with no victories in a season that many expected to be one of their strongest in recent years. Vasseur, who was hired to replace Mattia Binotto, has faced heavy criticism from the Italian media for the team’s lack of progress, especially after the promising start to the season.

The Italian press had speculated that Ferrari might be looking for a change at the top, with reports indicating that Christian Horner could be a potential replacement. However, Ferrari’s CEO Benedetto Vigna recently confirmed that Vasseur will remain with the team for now, signing him to a multi-year contract. The decision to keep Vasseur appears to be a show of confidence in his leadership, especially after a season that has seen Ferrari’s performances drop off. Vigna noted that Vasseur has made improvements to the team and that they were close to winning the Constructors’ Championship last year, despite their struggles this season.

There were also reports from Italian media suggesting that Ferrari had considered hiring some other high-profile figures, including WEC’s Kleta, who reportedly turned down the offer, citing his satisfaction with his current role in the World Endurance Championship. This just adds to the drama, as it suggests that Ferrari’s leadership issues are not yet fully resolved, despite the decision to keep Vasseur for the time being.

At the Hungarian GP, Ferrari’s performance in FP1 was promising, with both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc appearing competitive. Ferrari also introduced a minor update specifically tailored to the circuit, though the team’s overall competitiveness still seems questionable given McLaren’s apparent supremacy.

Mercedes’ Suspension Struggles and Antonelli’s Resilience

Mercedes has been struggling with the performance of their car recently, particularly after a switch in suspension specifications that has not worked out as planned. The team opted to revert to an older suspension setup for the Hungarian Grand Prix in the hope of solving the issues that had been plaguing the car in recent races. George Russell has continued to extract decent performances from the car, while rookie driver Antonelli has been facing significant challenges.

Antonelli spoke candidly about his struggles during the European leg of the season, acknowledging that his driving style had not suited the car’s setup. “This weekend, we’re going back on the old suspension, and that will hopefully bring the feeling back,” he said. He admitted that he had been trying to adapt his driving style but had struggled to find the right balance. In contrast, teammate George Russell has been able to adapt better, showcasing a more flexible approach to the car’s setup.

The old suspension, which Mercedes hoped would resolve some of the issues, is yet to deliver the results expected. In FP1, neither Mercedes driver could match the pace of the McLaren duo, who were comfortably leading the session. Mercedes’ struggles with rear suspension and balance issues continued to be evident, though the decision to revert to the old suspension could prove to be a step in the right direction as the weekend progresses.

A Strong Day for McLaren

McLaren continued their strong form from the earlier races in the season, topping the charts in FP1 and showing impressive pace throughout the session. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were both on point, with Norris taking the fastest time of the session. While McLaren’s performance in FP1 was dominant, Piastri was close behind, and the two McLaren drivers are clearly pushing each other to new heights. This could be a breakthrough weekend for the team, as the Hungarian Grand Prix track suits their car, and McLaren has already shown that they can challenge Red Bull for race wins this season.

While Ferrari and Mercedes seem to be struggling, McLaren appears poised to take full advantage of their form. Norris was in his element, and the team’s continued progress this season is a strong sign that McLaren might be on track to fight for podiums and victories, with both Norris and Piastri likely to be involved in the battle for top positions.

The Hungarian Grand Prix: A Turning Point for Red Bull?

As the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend progresses, the question remains: can Red Bull recover from Friday’s performance? Despite their dominance in 2023, Red Bull’s struggles at the circuit are becoming more evident. Verstappen’s balance issues and Red Bull’s lack of speed in the opening session suggest that the team may have some serious work to do if they are to challenge McLaren for pole position and victory on race day. However, given Red Bull’s ability to recover from seemingly poor Fridays, they will certainly come into Saturday and Sunday with a plan to find the setup that works for their car.

Conclusion: A Thrilling Weekend Ahead

The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend has already been filled with drama, from Verstappen’s struggles on track to Ferrari’s leadership question marks and Mercedes’ ongoing suspension issues. McLaren, on the other hand, looks poised to continue its strong run of form and challenge for top positions. With Saturday’s qualifying session on the horizon, the pressure is on for Red Bull to recover from a difficult Friday, while Ferrari and Mercedes aim to make the most of their own updates.

As the weekend unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how the teams adapt and whether McLaren can continue its dominant form, or whether Red Bull will bounce back to claim yet another victory. With the stakes high, the Hungarian Grand Prix promises to deliver plenty of action, drama, and excitement for F1 fans worldwide.