New Mercedes double in EL3 in Budapest, Pérez in ambush

The return of a dry track in Hungary, unsurprisingly, coincided with a comeback of Mercedes at the forefront. Valtteri Bottas sets the benchmark for Free Practice 3 with a time of 1’15”437. The Finn, current leader of the Drivers classification, is ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton of 42 thousandths. 

Racing Point, whose RP20 has been the target of a federal investigation since the last Styrian Grand Prix, confirms its good intentions with the 3rd time of Sergio Pérez. The Mexican finished 0”161 behind Bottas.

Charles Leclerc confirms the renewed form of Ferrari by lifting the SF1000 to 4th place, just over 3 tenths off the peak time. Lance stroll (Racing Point) ranks 5th but a good distance from his teammate Pérez. 

Red Bull, who burned one of his two regulatory jokers last night to break the FIA ​​curfew and work on a hitherto disappointing RB2, continues to evolve far from the best. Max Verstappen must settle for 6th time, 0”647 behind Bottas’ time. 

The Dutchman, who spun mid-session, precedes Lando Norris (McLaren), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri), and Daniel Ricciardo (Renault). 

In the tricolor clan, Esteban Ocon is in 13th position with his Renault R.S.20, two places ahead Romain Grosjean (Haas). 

New difficult session for Alfa Romeo : Antonio Giovinazzi is 18th, just ahead of Kimi Räikkönen. Nicholas latifi (Williams) brings up the rear, while his teammate George Russell achieves the small feat of lifting his FW43 to 14th place. 

Barring a blow from Trafalgar in the local weather this afternoon in qualifying on the outskirts of Budapest, there is little doubt about the identity of the drivers who will line up on the front row for the race on Sunday. It remains to be seen whether Hamilton or Bottas will have the last word. 

 of FP3 = @MercedesAMGF1

And it was a strong session for @ RacingPointF1 #HungarianGP  #F1 pic.twitter.com/qXCDwXmur6

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 18, 2020