Hungarian Grand Prix FP1: Charles Leclerc fastest from Max Verstappen Aston Martin updated car breaks on debut
F1 NewsFriday, 24 July 2026 at 14:30
Charles Leclerc was fastest at the end of FP1 for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix as Ferrari's form was confirmed with Lewis Hamilton third with Max Verstappen the Maranello pair in second.
Leclerc posted a session topping lap of 1:19.075 but his SF-26 broke down less than ten minutes from the end of the session.
Verstappen was 0.484s off the pace in second with Hamilton 0.059s further down the order in third.
It was a strange session as the gaps between cars and teammate specifically were somehow big as drivers complained a bouncy track and ride qualities with Turn 1 ambushing several drivers who locked up there.
Isack Hadjar was fourth in the other Red Bull, 0.922s off the pace as George Russell was 0.069s behind him in fifth.
Gabriel Bortoleto was sixth fastest in the Audi, 1.285s off the best time as Fredrik Vesti was seventh in the Mercedes as he replaced Championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
Nico Hulkenberg was eighth fastest in the sister Audi as Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson completed the top ten.
Fernando Alonso was 13th fastest in his B-spec Aston Martin, 2.475s off the pace but Lance Stroll broke down mid session with a failed rear suspension.
Buildup towards FP1
Here we are, the final race before the Formula 1 summer break as we land in Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
And despite is being very natural to be looking forward to the break, there are many points to look out for this weekend.
First, we head into this weekend with talk about the shortcomings of the 2026 power units which was exacerbated by the natures of the tracks at Silverstone and Spa as the drivers are getting increasingly irritated by the fact that they have become passengers in their cockpits.
But the pain will be less in Budapest as the Hungaroring will flatter the underpowered 2026 Formula 1 cars and their units.
The other main talking point is Aston Martin as Adrian Newey will finally present what is effectively a B-spec AMR26 after the vibrating bucket Alonso and Stroll had to deal will since the start of the season.
All eyes will be on the new upgraded Green car in FP1, although it would be smart to keep the expectations in check given that Honda are yet to bring their upgraded power unit. That comes in Zandvoort.
The AMR will feature all of the following new components this weekend: front wing, front wing endplate, nose, front corner, floor body, floor corners, floor fences, floor edge, diffuser, sidepod inlet, engine cover, cooling louvres, rear suspension, rear corner, rear wing, beam wing and rear wing endplate.
Will that work for the embattled Silverstone-based squad?
The upgraded @AstonMartinF1 👀
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2026
Here's what's new 👇#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/lt5syeFhCK
McLaren also have a major upgrade for their MCL40 this weekend but is not getting the same attention as that of Aston Martin.
They have a new rear wing (rotating on) and floor body. There are also revised front and rear corners with brake ducts with bigger exits at the front due keep up with brake cooling requirements this weekend.
McLaren have joined the Macarena wing party! 🕺#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/MdsWnHsG44
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2026
Ferrari have a revised rear wing with new endplates. Williams have a new rear wing and floor body. Racing Bulls have new roll hoop added to both cars now, only Lindblad had it in Spa. They also have a new rear wing and cooling louvres.
Mercedes have a revised rear wing and engine cover as well tail winglet merged into the rear wing brace. Red Bull have a revised floor with changed diffuser geometry, and a fixed Macarena rear wing.
In terms of tyres, Pirelli have their softest range of compounds available this weekend: C3 (Hard), C4 (Medium), and C5 (Soft).
On the driver front, Oscar Piastri will sit out FP1 and hand over his car to Leonardo Fornaroli, the 2025 Formula 2 Champion. Ryō Hirakawa will take Oliver Bearman's place over at Haas for the opening session.
Fred Vesti takes over Kimi Antonelli's car at Mercedes as Paul Aron replaced Franco Colapinto at Alpine. Colton Herta will take over Valtteri Bottas' Cadillac.
FP1 Session Highlights
Track temperature were as high as 46 degrees Celsius as FP1 started in dry conditions with air temperature at 23 degrees.
The drivers lined up in the pitlane waiting for the green light to turn on with several cars carrying aero rakes on them.
The Haas led the way out on track and aside from the Astons on the Hards, all the other drivers were on Mediums.
🟢 GREEN LIGHT IN THE PIT LANE 🟢
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2026
The final race weekend before the summer break is GO!#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/YqYwKdsgl3
It wasn't long before the Aston Martin made an appearance with Alonso's first time on Hards, 2.335s slower than Russell, the best at that point, on Mediums.
Hamilton then had a bit of a slide into Turn 14, but held it and kept going.
Then Verstappen soon reported that the downshifts were "horrendous" and that his car was jumping around especially on the front axle.
Leclerc and Hamilton had their own moment out on track, but no contact.
Lewis going slow, Charles on a push lap
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2026
A minor moment between the two Ferraris #F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/0u85lcg5Xy
Hamilton then reported that his car felt "really bad" complaining about ride quality adding the car felt two stiff.
Herta then had a double lockup in the Cadillac braking into Turn 1. Alex Albon had an even bigger lockup at the same place.
New tyres, please... Alex Albon locking up 😤#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/3ZqpIuGeIN
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2026
With 34 minutes remaining, Russell was the first driver to bolt the Soft tyres on his W17 and head out on track. Lando Norris, soon after, followed suit.
The reigning Formula 1 Champion ran wide and hard on the kerbs at Turn 11 and aborted his lap.
The Soft runs continued as lap times dropped quite a bit with every run as the track evolved.
Russell then had a lockup into Turn 1 and had to take to the run off area. He has been complaining about his car ride.
Here's the updated Aston Martin in action 🤩#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/YXdIOYzZfB
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2026
With less than 23 minutes remaining, Stroll was stranded on the side of the track with a failed rear left suspension.
Replay showed the Canadian's car snapping when coming through Turn 3 as the suspension failed. The Red Flag came out. The session was resumed with a little over 15 minutes on the clock.
Here's a look at what happened to Lance Stroll on the approach to Turn 3 😮#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/5a3zFinlZ3
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2026
The drivers went on with their performance runs on Soft tyres but Carlos Sainz who had to abort his first lap for traffic soon had a huge lock up into Turn 1. He ended up in the run-off area bringing our a Yellow flag.
The Spaniard was soon on his way but that tyre set on his FW48 was destroyed.
Lots of drivers are locking up into Turn 1 😮
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2026
Carlos Sainz is the latest driver to cook his tyres 😤#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/XgGncL9G0a
There have been several moments for drivers locking up in Turn 1.
The Leclerc's Ferrari died out on track. He radioed: "Something broke." However he managed to limp back to the pitlane.
📻 "Something broke"
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2026
Leclerc finished FP1 on top but his session ended early 👀#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/xBGVEXDjL9
The session was concluded with practice starts.
Hungarian Grand Prix FP1 Classification
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