Charles Leclerc completed a “double top” for Ferrari on Friday when he outpaced McLaren’s Lando Norris in second practice for this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
The 24-year-old Monegasque, showing he has recovered from the trauma of his crashing exit while leading last Sunday’s French Grand Prix, clocked a best lap in one minute and 18.445 seconds, two-tenths clear of Norris.
Carlos Sainz, who was fastest in the opening session in his Ferrari, was third, 0.231 adrift, ahead of series leader and world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Daniel Ricciardo, who was fifth in the second McLaren.
Two-time champion Fernando Alonso was sixth for Alpine on his 41st birthday ahead of retirement-bound four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Aston Martin, his friend and long-time rival.
George Russell was a frustrated eighth for Mercedes, after struggling for balance, ahead of Sergio Perez whose frustrations with his Red Bull continued and Valtteri Bottas, 10th for Alfa Romeo.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton also had a difficult day and wound up 11th in the second Mercedes, grumbling about his car’s continuing instability.
Last year’s surprise winner Esteban Ocon was 13th in the second Alpine, but might be encouraged by the likelihood of very different conditions on Saturday and Sunday.
He took advantage of the conditions last year to claim his maiden victory and was optimistic on arrival in Budapest that a repeat was in prospect.
“A million emotions came flooding back as soon as I landed in Budapest,” he said.
“One year ago, we achieved something amazing and a dream came true for me. But I want more. We want more. Last push before the summer break.”