Hamilton was significantly slower than team-mate Leclerc in free practice at the Hungaroring

 

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has lamented a “big, big struggle” with his Formula 1 car’s balance following the first two practice sessions for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Hamilton did take fifth and sixth over the two practice sessions at Hungaroring, but he was nearly half a second slower than team-mate Charles Leclerc in the opening session, then three tenths away in FP2.

“Today was not a good day for me. Big, big struggle with the balance of the car,” the Briton said. “A lot different to the previous years I’ve been here.”

It was pointed out to Hamilton that he is somewhat of a specialist around this track, where he holds the all-time record for most pole positions at a single circuit (nine) and has also taken a record eight victories – nobody else has won more than four times in Hungary.

It is therefore unusual to see Hamilton struggling around this twisty layout, and the Ferrari driver has been seeking solutions to his lack of confidence in his machinery.

“We tried two different things,” he sighed. “We tried rectifying some of the balance problems we had in FP1. We changed the car to FP2, and it’s just very, very inconsistent balance from corner to corner.

“So you can’t say it’s just understeer, you can’t just say it’s oversteer. It’s… just far from being on rails, and very, very out of balance. But I think it’s probably something to do with maybe high temperatures or something, so we’re going to try and figure that out for tomorrow.”

Asked if he had any chance to fight for the second row of the grid behind the untouchable McLarens, a downcast Hamilton replied: “Charles has been quick today, so he’s generally been happy with the car. For me, I’m quite far off, so I highly doubt it.”

Photos from Hungarian GP – Practice