FP3 LIVE | The third free practice for the 2023 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix

The third and final free practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix near Budapest is about to get underway. Due to Friday's rain at the Hungaroring, teams and drivers will be hoping for a dry track during the 60-minute sestoy can record some useful data for Sunday's dry race. It could be one of the busiest practice sessions of the season, so follow all the action with our live blog below.

FP3 LIVE | Third free practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix

Red Bull Racing are on the verge of breaking a very significant record. Christian Horner's team will record their 12th consecutive win in Formula should either Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez win Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix. No other team in the sport's history has won that many races in a row. Red Bull are currently tied with McLaren's 1988 season with Aryton Senna and Alain Prost.

Red Bull have proved they have a competitive car at every circuit type in 2023. The Hungaroring doesn't favour the characteristics of their car as much as other tracks, but neither did Monaco, and that event forms part of their hot streak. Helmut Marko suggested Red Bull will bring an update this weekend. McLaren themselves have seen a sudden uptick in form and are serious challengers for the podium places. Mercedes are battling away and were quick in Hungary last year with George Russell's pole position. Aston Martin also see this as one of their better tracks.

What will happen during FP3?

FP3 will be the most important practice session of the weekend if it remains dry. Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix is expected to bring sunny and dry conditions. Therefore, teams and drivers will want to complete some running in dry conditions so they can test their set-ups. Click here to see the detailed weather forecast. Because of the washout on Friday, it will be a busy track in FP3.

This is the final hour of practice before the meaningful sessions begin. With qualifying later this afternoon, the latter part of the hour will see drivers pushing hard to simulate qualifying. To see the schedule for the rest of the weekend, click here.

The history of the Hungarian Grand Prix

The Hungarian Grand Prix was the first event for Formula 1 behind the Iron Curtain. It was originally going to be a street circuit, but the government built a new one just outside Budapest. Construction started just eight months before the first Grand Prix in 1986.

Ayrton Senna secured the very first pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He and Nelson Piquet battled for the win, and the latter was in the lead when the chequered flag dropped. Nigel Mansell joined them on the podium. With the race being a permanent fixture since the mid-80s, all of the big names have raced at the venue.

Recent Hungarian Grand Prix history

Michael Schumacher took his first Hungarian pole position in 1994 and won the race. On the same day, Jos Verstappen secured his first of two podiums in Formula 1. Schumacher became World Champion at the venue in 2001 despite it being just the 13th event on the calendar (out of 17). Ferrari became Constructors Champions when Rubens Barrichello led a one-two in 2002.

Fernando Alonso secured his first F1 career victory at the circuit in 2003. Jenson Button achieved the same statistic in a wet 2006 race. Lewis Hamilton achieved the first of his eight wins in Hungary during the 2007 season. He would dominate proceedings for the best part of the next 15 years.

In 2019, Max Verstappen achieved his first career pole position, though he wasn't fast enough to keep Mercedes' Hamilton behind him on Sunday. Esteban Ocon took a surprise victory in 2021 in a red-flag and rain-affected race. Last time out, George Russell achieved his first career pole position, with Verstappen winning on Sunday. Red Bull are favourites to win again this weekend.