Budapest, free practice 3: Hamilton still in front

Saturday 2 August 2008, 12:37:00 | RF1 Paddock Pass

Saturday . Budapest . Fernando Alonso . Nelson Piquet

Lewis Hamilton set the best time in this morning's final free practice session in Budapest. Nelson and Fernando finished in 5th and 11th places for Renault.

 

 

Like yesterday, the McLarens looked especially comfortable on the twists and turns of the Hungaroring with Lewis Hamilton setting the best time in 1:20.228s, while teammate Heikki Kovalainen backed this up with the 4th quickest time of the morning, 0.429s behind Lewis. Between the two McLarens was Felipe Massa, whose Ferrari seems to be the main threat to Hamilton this weekend, and Timo Glock (Toyota). It's worth pointing out that Felipe Massa set his time on harder tyres, while Lewis clocked his best on the softer option.

Timo Glock was a surprise 4th in his Toyota: the German has been very competitive all weekend and he could spring a surprise this afternoon.

Nelson Piquet was in 5th, confirming Renault's competitiveness in Hungary. The Brazilian was in front of the BMW of Nick Heidfeld and the Toro Rosso of Sebastien Bourdais. Fernando Alonso ended the session in 11th.

Kimi Raikkonen was down in 9th, and seemed to have worked more with the race in mind this morning. The Finn finished more than 0.6s behind his teammate. Mark Webber seemed to adopt the same approach as he was down the order in 16th.

As usual, it is difficult to unpick the relative competitiveness of the teams. Fuel loads can vary and have such a significant impact on lap times. We will see how things shake out in qualifying.

Comments

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1. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 12:49:58 by NandoFan

RF1pp: is it possible to take some pictures from juju with some crew or in the R28 after quali ? )
Lets hope for a good quali !

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2. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 13:04:23 by NandoFan

A picture in the R28 will be difficult today because of parc fermé. )

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3. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 13:05:01 by NandoFan

Looks like i'm having a conversation with myself :p

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4. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 13:07:45 by RF1 Paddock Pass

Hi NandoFan, thought I had better bring an end to your one sided conversation.

We'll take plenty of pictures of Juju over the weekend and after the weekend I'm sure she will share all her memories with you on the blog.

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5. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 13:14:01 by galico

Massa set the quickest time on prime tyres...if temperature increase a bit more it is possible that everything goes Ferrari's way

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6. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 13:14:34 by NandoFan

Thanks RF1pp ! Nice pictures by the way already!

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7. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 13:49:48 by cave

After an inconsistent start to the season it's great to see Nelson Piquet starting to settle into F1 and show the world what a talent he really is. Keep up the good work!

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8. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 13:53:08 by MusicMan

What was the point in driving those slow laps in practice? Preparing tires for Sunday's race to avoid graining?

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9. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 13:55:50 by RF1 Paddock Pass

Yes, Cave, Nelson has been on great form this weekend. The podium in Germany seems to have given him a real boost in confidence. Plus, he seemes to like this place. A former GP2 winner, don't forget.

Not long till qualifying now. I think if we can get both cars through to Q3 then that will be a good result.

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10. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 14:29:28 by Alice

Goal achieved, now keep up the momentum into Q2 and Q3 Good luck to both Fernando and Nelson

Vamos team - lets do it....

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11. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 14:36:28 by amc

Nelson does seems a little more comfortable than Fernando again...should make an interesting weekend. I actually think Nelson will outqualify Fernando today.

Aside from that, I can't help but have that slogan go round and round in my head, from Renault's perspective - "the car in front is a Toyota"

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12. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 14:40:08 by Alice

No way amc, Fernando is just getting warmed up lol

Vamos Fernando

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13. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 14:43:48 by manuStudio

Both cars in Q3. well done.

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14. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 14:45:43 by galico

Did Ferni tried second hot lap in Q2? I did not see him..

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15. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 14:46:22 by Kirk

Good job Nelsinho - both cars in Q3! Although difficult to do better than 7th now by the pace of Toyota, McLaren and Ferrari so far.

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16. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 14:47:48 by Alice

Q2 goal achieved, now Q3 - keep it up guys, I can see the podium for us this weekend, have faith, we can do it.

Vamos Fernando, Nelson and team

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17. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 14:50:00 by amc

good lad nelson...

I get the feeling Fernando isn't where he wants or should be though. I mean the way the car is now, and 1 BMW out, he really should be 5th or 6th methinks.

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18. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 14:50:07 by NandoFan

Good job from Nelson to get in Q3. Alonso stayed in the pits at the last stages of Q2 while being on P8?
Was there a problem or was were they confident to get into Q3 without going out again?

Take lots of fuel for Nelson to take lots of places at the pitstops.

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19. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 14:51:44 by galico

NandoFan thanks for an info...I hope it was not a problem..I believ he would improve his time since track here improves over the course of time

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20. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 15:03:24 by NandoFan

Haha.. those faces at Ferrari were hilarious.
Toyota is looking very strong again!

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21. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 15:05:52 by Alice

It is what it is. Well done to Fernando and Nelson, you gave your best and we cannot ask for more.

Good luck for tomorrow.....

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22. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 15:11:36 by NandoFan

Good job. The only suprise could be Timo being 0.4sec faster than Fernando, but thats also the amount of time you lose per 10kg of fuel.
Maybe Fernando is a lap or 2 heavier than Kubica and Glock.
Nelson must be one of the heaviest of the first 10 drivers. Good starting position to gain some points again. )

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23. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 15:25:41 by ThePowerOfOne

That's not good, our fight is with Toyota and they are ahead of us. Race pace wise, we are lacking even more compared to them. It's like we are stuck.

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24. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 15:29:10 by RF1 Paddock Pass

Yes, I think that's about what the team expected from qualifying. Both cars in Q3 and the prospect of a reasonably competitive race. I'll bring you some more insight later in the day and the thoughts of the drivers.

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25. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 16:42:45 by Kirk

On GP2 front, what a terrible race from Grosjean...

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26. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 17:05:23 by Lengskee

Great to see the 2 cars in Q3.
Good Luck for tomorrow's race.

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27. Saturday 2 August 2008 at 17:07:18 by galico

Have You seen the responses form Ferrari about engine freeze debate started by Flavio...what a joke...
Toyota bakcs Renault approach

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php ...

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28. Sunday 3 August 2008 at 00:20:32 by dray

galico: Alonso is just whining about it because he isnt in the best car.

In reality Renault (and all the other teams) have to approve any change Ferrari - or anyone else - wants to make to their frozen engine. If they are approving changes that give other teams a performance boost then thats their own fault.

Theres really nothing worth fussing over: complaining is just what F1 drivers do.

And as for Flavio, well the least said the better when it comes to him talking on technical issues

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