The Saratogian (Saratoga, NY)

Vettel quickest for Ferrari in 2nd practice for Hungarian GP

- By Jerome Pugmire

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY » Sebastian Vettel led second practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix as Mercedes again struggled for speed on Friday.

On a day of mourning for Ferrari, following the death this week of former president Sergio Marchionne, Vettel was faster than Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.

The same three drivers had also led first practice hours earlier, with Ricciardo quickest ahead of Vettel and Verstappen.

Vettel’s Ferrari teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, was fourth in both sessions, while Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes colleague Valtteri Bottas twice placed fifth and sixth.

The narrow Hungarorin­g track is among the most difficult overtaking circuits in Formula One, and considered more favorable to cars with a strong downforce like Red Bull and Ferrari — which clinched a 1-2 last year when Vettel won ahead of Raikkonen.

“I think we can still improve the setup of the car a little bit more and be quicker ... If that will be enough for pole position I’m not sure,” said Verstappen, who has won one race this season.

“(The track) is very tight and twisty. Qualifying will be important as it’s hard to overtake here, so getting ahead early is vital.”

On the evidence of Friday, it appears Mercedes has much work to do to get its car competitiv­e for qualifying on Saturday.

Hamilton, who won last weekend’s German GP from 14th on the grid, briefly lost control of his car in P1 and complained about his tires.

“This is a tricky circuit and the tires are overheatin­g; looking after the rear tires is the biggest issue,” Hamilton said. “The (warm) temperatur­e and the layout of the track — corner after corner — made it really tricky for the tires, as there’s no time for them to cool down.”

The British driver leads Vettel by 17 points after 11 of 21 races, with the fourtime F1 champions winning four races apiece and retiring once each.

Vettel threw points away by crashing in the rain near the end last weekend. The German driver started from pole and was leading by nearly 10 seconds at the time of the incident.

Following Hungary, there is a four-week summer break.

Amid a somber mood, Ferrari’s garage and motorhome flew its flag at half-mast and team members wore black armbands in memory of Marchionne, who died on Wednesday at the age of 66.

Vettel and Raikkonen also had black bands attached to their cars.

 ?? LASZLO BALOGH — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany prepares at pits during the second free practice session for the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Hungarorin­g racetrack in Mogyorod, northeast of Budapest, Friday. The Hungarian Grand Prix will be held on Sunday.
LASZLO BALOGH — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany prepares at pits during the second free practice session for the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Hungarorin­g racetrack in Mogyorod, northeast of Budapest, Friday. The Hungarian Grand Prix will be held on Sunday.

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