The rain added to the party before the pole and Latifi took the lead

In the dry, it’s a red party. ferrari clearly dominating Sainz in Free Practice 1 and Leclerc in Malaya 2. Those in Maranello is superior to a turn and to racing speed and red bull I suffer more than other circuits. But the clouds came to Budapest to complicate things for the Italians, add excitement to the matter and give aid to Verstappen.

Nicholas took the lead Latifi in front of Leclerc and of Alex Alban. Two Williams in the first three positions, as before. But it is only a mirage. Grovers took advantage of the water to shine what they couldn’t do on the dry and set their times last, at the end of the session, with intermissions, to get ahead and show off their sponsors. The really important thing is to understand that water can change everything.

The rain damages the Ferrari, which controls everything

Rain may continue until qualifying (4pm/DAZN F1) and then the track may improve during the session. Changing conditions will bring madness and uncertainty to the fight for the pole. So, Ferrari sees how it goes from having everything under control, to doubts. Not just because of what might happen in qualifying, but in the race this Sunday, because it is expected to be dry but with 15 or 20 degrees lower than Friday. The track has been washed away by the rain and the damage could be worse. So, what seems perfect for Ferrari at race pace for Sunday, it is not known if it is because the degradation and track conditions are different.

That can only help Red Bull, who should try to take advantage of that card to cut their losses in what looked to be a very difficult weekend for them on Friday.

For now, those in red need to focus on one important classification. In one lap, Leclerc was 2nd, Verstappen was 4th against Russell and Sainz was 7th, but the times were not representative as they depended on the moment each did his lap. In qualifying, if the track is improving, the key is to do as late as possible and avoid traffic. Maximum emotions for an important ‘qualy’, as grid position on Sunday is even more important at the Hungaroring due to how difficult it is to overtake in the race.

Alonso, it’s 6th for everyone

These changing conditions and the uncertainty caused by the rain in today’s classification only benefit Fernando Alonso and give him clear options to do something great. He has already done it at Silverstone, being second in the ‘qualy’ on the water. He wants to repeat the exhibition if it finally rains in the classification as well. The Asturian driver showed his confidence in the complex conditions, surprisingly at the start wearing intermediate tires with a lot of water on the track, and with them he continued on the asphalt dominating the situation with his excellent hands and unique sensitivity.

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc suffered a spin, the two Mercedes continued to complain about their lack of grip on the track and Vettel went into the wall at the end of the session, hitting the rear of his car in the obstacle. But Alonso calmly followed himself, riding through the intermediates and moving up to sixth place.