Ricciardo, Vettel clock fastest time in Hungary

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Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo won the first and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel the second practice of the 33rd F1 Hungarian Grand Prix at Hungaroring in Mogyorod on Friday.

Australian driver Ricciardo drove the fastest lap time on the first free practice. He posted the fastest time of 1:17.613 seconds.

The pilots were able to take the first practice rounds of the weekend at Hungaroring in relatively high heat at 28 degrees and 48 degrees asphalt.

For a long time, four-time champion Vettel, standing currently at the second place, had the lead, but eventually, Ricciardo reached the lap time that could not be matched by anyone else.

Daniel Ricciardo driving the (3) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB14 TAG Heuer on track during practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring /VCG Photo

Vettel's disadvantage was only 0.079 seconds in second place, while third-placed Max Verstappen of Red Bull was just 0.088 seconds away from his teammate. The defending Champion and four-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, who had previously been a five-time winner of Hungaroring, finished fifth.

The 31-year-old, Vettel proved that there was no aftermath of his crash at Hockenheim one week ago, as he led Max Verstappen and Ricciardo in the second free Practice session.

Having posted the fastest time of 1:16.834 seconds, Vettel finished the session just 0.074 seconds ahead of Verstappen, while Ricciardo was 0.227 seconds behind the German. Kimi Raikkonen was fourth, meanwhile, 0.319 seconds behind his teammate, while drivers of Mercedes Hamilton and Botas placed fifth and sixth.

Sebastian Vettel steers his car during the second free practice session ahead of the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit. /VCG Photo

It is looking likely to be a Ferrari vs. Red Bull fight in qualifying. It certainly seemed so based on the teams' qualifying simulations in second free practice session, with the fastest lap fifth-placed Lewis Hamilton behind some 0.75 seconds of Vettel, while Valtteri Bottas in sixth failed to even get within a second of the leading Ferrari.

The qualifying finals on the starting line-up will be held on Saturday afternoon while the 33rd Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix starts on Sunday afternoon.

(With input from the agency)