Hungarian GP – Free Practice 1: Vettel Already Under Pressure from Lewis Hamilton

Under a gray sky and on a slightly damp track following night showers, many drivers nonetheless leave the pits at the start of the session to perform their customary installation laps and evaluate new parts without setting a single flying lap. Nico Hülkenberg, in the seat of Force India’s Adrian Sutil, is the first driver to clock a time of 1:31.073. After four fast laps, the German sets the mark at 1:28.286 before returning to the pits. Buemi significantly improves this mark to 1:27.058.

After half an hour of trials, only 3 drivers had set a time on a track that was still very green, with the best being achieved by Jenson Button in 1:25.697. A few minutes later, however, Lewis Hamilton takes the best time in 1:24.284. The Briton thus leads his teammate and Felipe Massa while cameras linger on Sebastian Vettel’s slightly strapped hand.

Fernando Alonso sets the fastest time at 1:24.179 while Nico Rosberg maintains 5th position, the Red Bulls having been rather discreet until then, but Mark Webber takes the second fastest time before having to yield to the attacks of Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa, as Fernando Alonso improves again to 1:23.642.

Bruno Senna, who replaces Nick Heidfeld in the R31 seat for this first practice session, only starts his first stint halfway through the session and ranks 14th, while Webber positions himself between the Ferrari drivers.

At the end of the 7th lap of his stint, Vettel sets the fastest time of 1:23.564 before returning to the pits. The drivers are making multiple small mistakes on this dusty track, and Mark Webber is forced to return to the pits without his front wing after losing control of his RB7 on the curb exiting turn 9 and hitting the safety barrier: the Australian will not rejoin the race.

The drivers very rarely improve their lap times when using worn tires. With three minutes remaining, Lewis Hamilton is on track to improve his best lap but encounters a Toro Rosso in the final sector, ruining his lap as he is forced to pass it on the outside. However, the Briton retains the fastest time at 1:23.350 ahead of Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, and Mark Webber.

Result of Free Practice 1 – 2011 Hungarian Grand Prix: