Mercedes-backed ART Grand Prix rookie Esteban Ocon topped the free practice session at the Hungaroring by a mere 0.038s from series leader and Trident driver Luca Ghiotto, whilst Arden International’s Emil Bernstorff pipped Marvin Kirchhöfer at the chequered flag for third fastest.
Ghiotto was the early pacesetter before a red flag halted the practice session as Carlin’s Jann Mardenborough was forced to stop out on track at Turn 14 due to technical gremlins. The marshals were quick to clean the scene whilst the Brit was left to walk back into the pit lane, having completed only six laps.
With ten minutes to go Ghiotto held a massive advantage of 1.187s at the top of the timesheet over Matheo Tuscher and Alex Palou; that was until French an Ocon put his head down to displace Ghiotto from the head of the timings and setting the fastest time in all three sectors in the process.
Apparently that was not enough for Ocon who then bettered his time to clock a lap time which was a second quicker than that posted by the Trident driver. Behind the pair Pal Varhaug and Mitchell Gilbert shot up into second and third respectively until Kirchhöfer popped into P2.
As the chequered flag dropped the positions were still changing as Bernstorff jumped up the standings into third place. Eyes were on championship leader Ghiotto as he lit up the timing screen in sector one on his last attempt but ultimately finished the session in P2.
Behind Ocon and Ghiotto it finished with Bernstorff in third and Kirchhöfer in four, followed by Kevin Ceccon, Varhaug, Gilbert, Adderly Fong, Antonio Fuoco and Artur Janosz.
Hungaroring Free Practice Result
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