Mercedes pinpoint qualifying weakness despite 'encouraging' Hungary GP long-run pace

Ferrari dominated the practice sessions with Charles Leclerc topping the timesheets in FP1 and Lewis Hamilton in FP2. Russell was fifth in FP1 and FP2 while Antonelli was 13th in FP2 after sitting out the morning session, with Frederik Vesti stepping in his place.

Mercedes' deputy team principal Lord explained why Mercedes did not get a one lap opportunity with Antonelli and theorised why both cars struggled for qualifying pace, despite showing encouraging long run pace.

He said to the media after FP2: "We didn't get much one lap pace through simply because Kimi didn't complete his lap when the red flag came out and then had a big oversteer moment and brake lock on his next attempt so we will have to see that.

"The long runs are encouraging, both have struggled with car balance saying it's tricky, quite nervous, oversteer, understeer, so not happy on one lap but we think that's probably the tyres, probably not getting them in the right window and making the most of them because the long runs, George looked pretty competitive, Kimi as well very consistent on the soft tyre, so in a much more normal position."

Meanwhile, there were encouraging signs for Ferrari after both drivers finished inside the top three in both FP1 and FP2.

Asked whether Ferrari's pace was alarming and if they can fight for pole against the Italian outfit, Lord said: "It's not alarming but sets us a really good target. We hope we can fight for pole, we have been competitive at every type of circuit this year.