{"id":2369,"date":"2016-07-22T19:58:31","date_gmt":"2016-07-22T19:58:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/f1vault.co.uk\/?p=2369"},"modified":"2016-07-22T19:58:31","modified_gmt":"2016-07-22T19:58:31","slug":"notebook-hungarian-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/notebook-hungarian-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"NOTEBOOK \u2013 Hungarian Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mercedes have topped both the practice sessions for this weekend\u2019s Hungarian Grand Prix. Both Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton took a session each with them both having comfortable gaps over their nearest rivals.<\/p>\n

Hamilton crash<\/em><\/p>\n

Fifteen minutes into the afternoon session Lewis Hamilton went off at Turn Eleven. \u00a0The champion caught the kerb on entry to the corner when the car snapped on him breaking his suspension sending him into the wall. The crashed trigged a sensor which meant a trip to medical<\/p>\n

He said \u201cObviously, not the greatest session for me. My apologies to the crew for all the hard work they have ahead to strip the car and get it back together. Fortunately, I got a good feel for it in the few laps that I did have and the pace is clearly there\u201d<\/p>\n

Mercedes \u2013 clear favourites <\/em><\/p>\n

Normally Hungary gives other teams a greater chance of causing a upset but Mercedes clearly have the advantage. In FP1 they were more than a second clear of Red Bull and Ferrari. But the circuit is low speed and downforce so it gives its rivals a closer challenge.<\/p>\n

Red Bull v Ferrari<\/em><\/p>\n

Red Bull and Ferrari will be the fight for best of the rest this weekend they will be looking for a good weekend to fight for second. The battle between the two varies circuit to circuit and this week Ferrari look to be slightly ahead.<\/p>\n

The gap may close tomorrow but it unlikely as all the teams will turn up the wick tomorrow we will see whether the pace is genuine.<\/p>\n

McLaren<\/em><\/p>\n

McLaren look good for the same reason as Red Bull and Ferrari for the same reason as Ferrari. They had their most competitive session of their current Honda partnership this means they could get good points this weekend.\u00a0 They will be hoping they can close up to Toro Rosso in the championship.<\/p>\n

Racing Director Eric Boullier said \u201cIn both FP1 this morning and FP2 this afternoon, both our cars ran well for the most part. We made good progress, and both drivers reported satisfactory handling balance by the day\u2019s end.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps the sinuous topography of the notoriously serpentine Hungaroring suits our car\u2019s performance envelope rather better than do the layouts of most other circuits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pit entry<\/em><\/p>\n

Once again the FIA appear to be strict on drivers crossing the white line on entry to the pits. This is to make clear the technical notes for this weekend say \u201cIn accordance with Chapter 4 (Section 5) of Appendix L to the ISC drivers must keep to the right of the white line at the pit exit when leaving the pits, no part of any car leaving the pits may cross this line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adding \u201cFor safety reasons drivers must stay to the right of the bollard at the pit entry when entering the pits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qualifying Preview<\/em><\/p>\n

The battle once again I feel will be between Hamilton and Rosberg but the fight for the second row will be the one to watch. This will be the fight between Red Bull and Ferrari with recent form suggesting Red Bull to have the edge over Ferrari.<\/p>\n

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