03/08/2019
NEWS STORY
While not, in any way, wishing to tempting fate, one has to admit that this weekend is shaping up to be pretty, pretty, pretty good, as Mr David would say.
Due to the fact that yesterday's sessions were pretty much useless due to the fact that the weather conditions were different to what is expected this afternoon and tomorrow, not to mention the strengths and weaknesses of the various cars in different sectors, this morning we saw Messrs Hamilton, Verstappen and Vettel separated by just 0.082s.
Bottas and Leclerc were both around 0.3s behind, while Gasly has Norris breathing down his neck.
Then there's Raikkonen, Sainz, Magnussen and Grosjean covered by just 0.077s, indeed 8th to 14th covered by 0.454s.
How close exactly do you want it?
After yesterday's rain, this morning it was cement dust, and barring a plague of frogs or a defrocked priest this afternoon should see a straightforward shoot-out for pole.
As we know from experience, overtaking here is difficult, very much a case of fortune favouring the brave, consequently a good grid position is vital. Even more so, when you consider that tomorrow's race is surely going to feature on the minds of team bosses as they head into the summer break and began mulling their line-ups for next season.
Ahead of Q1, the air temperature is 24.1 degrees C, while the track temperature is 42.1 degrees. Race Control claims there is a 60% chance of rain, though they said that before FP3 and all the drivers had to deal with was cement dust.
The lights go green and Stroll is first out, followed by Russell and Kubica, the Pole appearance sparking a roar from the crowd, many thousands of his countrymen have made the journey here this weekend to support their man.
Stroll gets things underway with an 18.688, which Russell surprisingly beats with a 18.143. Kubica posts 18.843, but still his fans cheer their hearts out.
Albon posts 17.626, but is demoted when teammate Kvyat bangs in a 17.600 and Raikkonen a 17.131.
As Sainz goes second with a 17.549, Vettel posts 16.581. Moments later, Leclerc goes top with a 16.337.
A 16.716 sees Gasly go third, with Bottas posting 16.501 and Hamilton 16.563 shortly after, the Briton having a scrappy opening sector.
A 15.817 sees Verstappen go quickest, and suddenly things are getting serious, the Dutchman a full half-second quicker than his nearest rival (Leclerc).
With 8 minutes remaining, all bar Perez and Ricciardo have posted time.
"It's definitely more windy out here," says Verstappen.
A spin in the final corner sees Leclerc spin and clout the barriers with his rear end.
First appearances suggest it is only the driver's pride that has been damaged.
Replay shows the Ferrari driver was lucky not to collect Russell as he rejoined the track.
Bottas improves to second with a 16.078.
A 17.460 for Russell, which puts him 14th, shows that the track is evolving, which could be bad news for Leclerc.
With 3 minutes remaining, the drop zone comprises Kvyat, Giovinazzi, Stroll, Grosjean and Kubica.
Grosjean improves to 8th with a 16.978.
In the Ferrari garage, Mattia Binotto oversees the work on Leclerc's car, he doesn't look happy. Also watching proceedings is the FIA's Jo Bauer.
Norris goes sixth, and Raikkonen ninth, as Albon slips into the drop zone.
Lots of green as the foot of the sheet as plenty of PBs are posted.
Albon goes ninth and Raikkonen 6th.
Kubica fails to improve while Sainz goes seventh.
Ricciardo fails to improve and misses the cut, while teammate Hulkenberg improves to 12th.
Replay reveals that Ricciardo was caught in a massive queue before his flying lap and eventually gave up, the Australian seemingly in a little fracas with Perez.
Great performance from Russell, who misses the cut but finishes 16th.
Quickest is Verstappen, ahead of Hamilton, Bottas, Magnussen, Leclerc, Vettel, Sainz, Raikkonen, Norris and Gasly. That's both Racing Points out despite the much anticipated upgrade
We lose Russell, Perez, Ricciardo, Stroll and Kubica.
Hamilton is first out for Q2, as work continues on Leclerc's car. Bottas heads out also, like his teammate he is on mediums.
The Ferraris head out on mediums, as do the Bulls.
Bottas sets the benchmark with a 15.669, but moments later Hamilton raises it a little higher, crossing the line at 15.548.
Gasly posts 16.421 to go third, but is demoted by Vettel (15.885), Leclerc (15.807) and Verstappen (15.573) who splits the Silver Arrows.
A 16.565 sees Hulkenberg go seventh, ahead of Sainz and Albon.
Another stunner from Norris who goes sixth with a 16.060, while Kvyat posts 16.692 to go 11th.
"Why is he driving so slow," asks Verstappen of Bottas. The team tell the youngster to ignore the Finn, failing to add the words... "he's not worth it".
Grosjean goes 8th with a 16.534, while teammate Magnussen can only manage 14th (17.081). "err, just no grip," complains the Dane.
With the first runs completed, Albon, Kvyat, Giovinazzi, Magnussen and Raikkonen comprise the drop zone. Sainz, Hulkenberg and Grosjean are hovering.
With just over three minutes remaining, Norris gets the final assault underway.
Giovinazzi is under investigation for impeding Stroll in Q1.
A close one in the pitlane as Hamilton is lucky not to hit the rear of Magnussen's Haas.
A mistake sees Norris run wide in T4, he aborts the lap and looks to try again.
Verstappen is on softs, as are the Mercedes pair and Gasly.
Norris pits, while Verstappen goes quickest in S1.
Vettel fails to improve, while Verstappen backs off in S3.
Hulkenberg fails to improve, as do the Toro Rosso pair.
Quickest is Hamilton, ahead of Verstappen, Bottas, Leclerc, Vettel, Norris, Sainz, Grosjean, Gasly and Raikkonen.
While the Ferraris were off the pace in Q2, like Mercedes, Leclerc and Vettel can go full Nigel Tufnell in Q3, cranking it up all the way to 11.
Check out our Saturday gallery from the Hungaroring, here.
Again, Hamilton leads the way when the lights go green. He is followed by teammate Bottas and Norris.
"The sun's gone in, the track may cool quite quickly," Sainz is told.
Bottas is quicker than his teammate in the opening sector, and at the line the Finn posts 15.136 to go quickest as Hamilton posts 15.146.
Verstappen and Vettel are trading fastest sectors, and as the Dutch driver posts 14.958 the crowd roars its approval.
Vettel can only mange fourth (15.346) and Leclerc fifth (15.437), ahead of Gasly, Norris, Sainz, Raikkonen and Grosjean.
As he heads to the pits, Verstappen reports he's losing battery power in the last corner. Replay shows a mistake also from Hamilton in Turn 13.
Norris heads out to get the final assault underway. Leclerc is the first of the big guns to head out.
On the cusp of his maiden (F1) pole, Verstappen is cheered on by the crowd.
Leclerc goes quickest in S1, with Vettel going quicker moments later.
Verstappen goes purple in S2, as Bottas and the Ferraris also look set to improve,
Verstappen posts 14.572, and as Bottas goes second (14.590), Hamilton, Leclerc and Vettel all fail to better the Red Bull driver's time. The crowd goes wild.
Verstappen takes pole, ahead of Bottas, Hamilton, Leclerc, Vettel, Gasly, Norris, Sainz, Grosjean and Raikkonen.
"Yes boys, yes! This feels good, this feels really good," shouts Verstappen.
Hulkenberg will start 11th, ahead of Albon, Kvyat, Giovinazzi, Magnussen, Russell, Perez, Ricciardo, Stroll and Kubica.
A superb performance from Verstappen and Bottas also, the pair separated by just 0.018s.
Disappointing for Ferrari though, both drivers over 0.4s off the pace.
"We are still in a good position to fight for the win," says Hamilton. "I'm always down for a fight!
Dare we hope that tomorrow sees a fourth consecutive thriller, or are we asking too much?
Check out our Saturday gallery from the Hungaroring, here.