After a tricky run of recent form, Carlos Sainz gave Ferrari something to smile about, going P1 in Free Practice 1 at the Hungaroring as the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend began in earnest.
In sweltering hot conditions – with the air temperature at 31 degrees, and track temperature nudging 60 degrees – the action got under way, with Sainz setting the pace for Ferrari, on a weekend where the team have introduced a new floor on the SF-24.
FP1: Sainz heads Verstappen and Leclerc during first practice in Hungary
He led Max Verstappen in a heavily upgraded Red Bull, as Charles Leclerc backed up Ferrari’s pace by claiming P3.
Meanwhile, it was an impressive performance for Zhou Guanyu who – after a technical hiccup where his Kick Sauber’s sidepod appeared to melt in the hot temperatures – claimed P5 for the Swiss outfit who are still seeking their first points of 2024.
Relive the action from FP1 in Hungary in the video above.
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