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LIVE: FP2 Grand Prix of Hungary

LIVE: FP2 Grand Prix of Hungary

17-07-2020 13:40 Last update: 13:41

GPblog.com

After the first free practice this morning, we arrive at the second free practice ahead of the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix. The circuit has more turns than the Red Bull Ring and has fewer long straights. That's advantageous for Alexander Albon’s team, but last year we saw that Mercedes was still the team to beat in Hungary. The German team showed that again last weekend, but that was still on a circuit where the pace is higher. Time for the second free practice and in this live blog we will keep you informed.

Does Verstappen take revenge?

Last year Max Verstappen took his first pole position of his career in Hungary. After the start, the Dutchman was ahead for a long time, but Mercedes overtook Red Bull Racing with a good strategy. Lewis Hamilton was brought in for a second time and with a new set of tyres, he managed to close the gap to Verstappen pretty quickly.

With only a few laps to go, Hamilton passed the Dutchman to claim victory. Nevertheless, Verstappen drove exceptionally well but was not up to Hamilton’s Mercedes. With a pole position on this circuit in his pocket, Verstappen will undoubtedly want to make up for his loss of last year. Meanwhile, Hamilton can equal a record of Michael Schumacher with eight victories on the same circuit if the Brit wins on Sunday.

In the second free practice, we expect to see longer runs in preparation for Sunday's race.

Winding circuit

The Hungaroring is a circuit with 14 corners and in between, there are some straights, albeit considerably shorter than on the Red Bull Ring. This is more favourable for Red Bull Racing, as they are often just a bit faster in the corners. We got the first impression this morning and that will now continue in the next hour and a half in Hungary.

LIVEBLOG: Second free practice of the Hungarian Grand Prix