Ricciardo To Return To F1 Grid In Hungary With Alpha Tauri
The Formula 1 paddock returns to Budapest this weekend for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the popular Hungaroring circuit.
Max Verstappen is looking for a seventh grand prix victory in a row at a track where he won last year from 10th on the grid. The Dutchman is cruising to a third world championship this season, currently holding a 99-point to Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in second.
Yet the biggest talking point this weekend is Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the grid with AlphaTauri. The Australian, dropped by McLaren last year, replaces Nyck de Vries for the remainder of this season and starts at a track where he claimed his second F1 victory in 2014.
Lando Norris will be hoping to back up his strong performance for McLaren at Silverstone two weeks ago, a race where Lewis Hamilton finished third for Mercedes. Hamilton is an eight-time winner in Hungary. On Friday, Charles Leclerc was quickest in second practice after Sergio Perez crashed in first practice.
Follow live updates from the Hungarian GP with The Independent
Red Bull boss Christian Horner:
“All credit to Lewis and Mercedes, very strong lap at the end. It was a big lap, we left a little bit on the table. Max had a snap at 13 but first row on the grid…”
“As long as they get through the first few turns, we should have a good motor race…”
Kieran Jackson22 July 2023 16:44
Lewis Hamilton’s 104th pole in Formula 1!
And his ninth in Budapest!
What a moment for Lewis Hamilton! His first pole since December 2021 in Saudi Arabia! And his first in 33 races!
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson22 July 2023 16:32
Lewis Hamilton after claiming pole position:
“It’s been a crazy year and a half, I’ve lost my voice I’m shouting so much! It’s amazing that feeling. We’ve been pushing so hard, to finally get to pole feels like the first time.
“I didn’t expect today we’d be fighting for pole. I gave it absolutely everything!
“For us, finally, to have a calm balance through the corners. Hats off to the team. We did a great job.
“I just have to try and see if I can sleep tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll bring our A-game as a team. Max is always up there.”
He’s definitely lost his voice, quite croaky!
Kieran Jackson22 July 2023 16:25
Max Verstappen after qualifying second:
“I’ve been struggling all weekend to find good balance. Really difficult Q1 through, difficult to attack corners. Second run, no feeling, tried to push a bit more. We’re still second but we should be ahead with the car we have normally.
“So far this weekend we haven’t been on it.”
He’s not best pleased…
Kieran Jackson22 July 2023 16:14
Lando Norris after finishing P3:
“I’m disappointed. Within a tenth of pole, feels like you should be on pole if you put the lap together! Overall picture, happy. As a driver, made too many mistakes.
Kieran Jackson22 July 2023 16:03
Lewis Hamilton is on pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix!
Lewis Hamilton has DONE IT!
By 0.003 seconds, he beats Max Verstappen to pole position in Hungary!
“Get in there! Let’s go boys! So good! Thanks so much for all the hard work guys! Woahhhh!”
Lando Norris takes third.
Kieran Jackson22 July 2023 16:02
Lewis Hamilton heads back out on track
Lewis Hamilton heads back out on track around one minute later than Max Verstappen.
Who will be on pole position in Hungary?!
Hamilton is going for a record-breaking ninth poles in Budapest.
Kieran Jackson22 July 2023 15:59
Max Verstappen now on provisional pole
Max Verstappen storms around in his first lap and goes top with a 1:16:612!
And just below him in second? Old nemesis Lewis Hamilton! Hamilton 0.126secs down on the Red Bull.
Lando Norris is 0.292secs off Verstappen in third.
4-10: Alonso, Perez, Leclerc, Bottas, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Zhou
All the drivers head into the pits, as they prepare for their second laps…
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson22 July 2023 15:55
Lando Norris on provisional pole!
Lando Norris top of the pile so far with a 1:16:904!
Fernando Alonso second, a tenth down, with Sergio Perez two-tenths down.
Kieran Jackson22 July 2023 15:53