FP1 LIVE | The first free practice for the 2023 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix

FP1 LIVE | First 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 FP1? 

FP1 will give us the first indication of what to expect during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, but everything must be taken with a pinch of salt if it rains as predicted. The session usually starts with some exploratory laps, part testing, and push laps towards the end. The weather is expected to be dry for Sunday's race, but rain is in the air for Saturday. The full weather forecast can be seen here. 

On Friday afternoon, F1 cars will return to the circuit for FP2. More qualifying simulations will take place if the weather isn't too bad. And then, teams will move on to the race simulations though any data will unlikely be accurate because the conditions will be completely different come Sunday. The session times for the rest of the weekend can be found 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.