F1 Hungarian Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying results as Lewis Hamilton takes pole

Lewis Hamilton claimed his first pole position in 595 days with a brilliant qualifying lap for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Hamilton crossed the line at the Hungaroring just 0.003 seconds ahead of Red Bull rival Max Verstappen to take his first pole since the penultimate round of the 2021 season in Saudi Arabia.

• EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Daniel Ricciardo is back – and this time he wants to go out on top

The 38-year-old’s lap was greeted with raucous cheers from the crowd, bringing to an end a run of five straight poles for Verstappen. Lando Norris qualified an impressive third. Norris finished less than a tenth back as McLaren’s resurgence continued, with team-mate Oscar Piastri fourth.

Hamilton, who has won more times in Budapest than anybody else and captured his first victory in Mercedes colours at this venue a decade ago, will believe he can end the longest losing streak of his career in Sunday’s 70-lap race after outclassing Verstappen and claiming his ninth pole at this track.

Follow live updates from the Hungarian GP with The Independent

F1 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING

• Lewis Hamilton takes first pole position since December 2021; Verstappen 2nd; Norris 3rd

• Click HERE for the top-10 for Sunday’s race

• Carlos Sainz out in Q2, also out: Ocon, Ricciardo, Stroll, Gasly

• George Russell out in Q1, also out: Albon, Tsunoda, Magnussen, Sargeant

• Lewis Hamilton fastest in third practice; Verstappen 2nd; Perez 3rd

• PREVIEW: Sergio Perez crashes in practice as Daniel Ricciardo returns in Hungary

• EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Daniel Ricciardo is back – and this time he wants to go out on top

Daniel Ricciardo after qualifying P13:

16:57 , Kieran Jackson

“The result is a part of that, it’s not everything. So important for me to feel comfortable, that enjoyment back. I felt that last week in the test. It felt fun again.

“I slept pretty good. I’m watching quarterback at the moment. Watched one episode too much. Watching that makes me feel ready to go.

“I’ve done an eight-lap long run. I don’t know enough about this car. There’s more for me to learn in the race tomorrow. Points would be phenomenal.”

Red Bull boss Christian Horner:

16:44 , Kieran Jackson

“All credit to Lewis and Mercedes, very strong lap at the end. It was a big lap, we left a little bit on the table. Max had a snap at 13 but first row on the grid...”

“As long as they get through the first few turns, we should have a good motor race...”

Lewis Hamilton’s 104th pole in Formula 1!

16:32 , Kieran Jackson

And his ninth in Budapest!

What a moment for Lewis Hamilton! His first pole since December 2021 in Saudi Arabia! And his first in 33 races!

Lewis Hamilton after claiming pole position:

16:25 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s been a crazy year and a half, I’ve lost my voice I’m shouting so much! It’s amazing that feeling. We’ve been pushing so hard, to finally get to pole feels like the first time.

“I didn’t expect today we’d be fighting for pole. I gave it absolutely everything!

“For us, finally, to have a calm balance through the corners. Hats off to the team. We did a great job.

“I just have to try and see if I can sleep tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll bring our A-game as a team. Max is always up there.”

He’s definitely lost his voice, quite croaky!

Max Verstappen after qualifying second:

16:14 , Kieran Jackson

“I’ve been struggling all weekend to find good balance. Really difficult Q1 through, difficult to attack corners. Second run, no feeling, tried to push a bit more. We’re still second but we should be ahead with the car we have normally.

“So far this weekend we haven’t been on it.”

He’s not best pleased...

TOP-10 AT THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX:

16:06 , Kieran Jackson

1) Lewis Hamilton

2) Max Verstappen

3) Lando Norris

4) Oscar Piastri

5) Zhou Gunayu

6) Charles Leclerc

7) Valtteri Bottas

8) Fernando Alonso

9) Sergio Perez

10) Nico Hulkenberg

Lando Norris after finishing P3:

16:08 , Kieran Jackson

“I’m disappointed. Within a tenth of pole, feels like you should be on pole if you put the lap together! Overall picture, happy. As a driver, made too many mistakes.

Lewis Hamilton is on pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix!

16:02 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton has DONE IT!

By 0.003 seconds, he beats Max Verstappen to pole position in Hungary!

“Get in there! Let’s go boys! So good! Thanks so much for all the hard work guys! Woahhhh!”

Lando Norris takes third.

Lewis Hamilton heads back out on track

15:59 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton heads back out on track around one minute later than Max Verstappen.

Who will be on pole position in Hungary?!

Hamilton is going for a record-breaking ninth poles in Budapest.

2:00 LEFT

Max Verstappen now on provisional pole

15:55 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen storms around in his first lap and goes top with a 1:16:612!

And just below him in second? Old nemesis Lewis Hamilton! Hamilton 0.126secs down on the Red Bull.

Lando Norris is 0.292secs off Verstappen in third.

4-10: Alonso, Perez, Leclerc, Bottas, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Zhou

All the drivers head into the pits, as they prepare for their second laps...

5:00 LEFT

Lando Norris on provisional pole!

15:53 , Kieran Jackson

Lando Norris top of the pile so far with a 1:16:904!

Fernando Alonso second, a tenth down, with Sergio Perez two-tenths down.

8:00 LEFT

Q3 is underway!

15:51 , Kieran Jackson

Time for the top-10 shootout in Hungary!

Everyone on soft tyres - as they would be anyway - to decide who will be on pole!

10 drivers involved: Perez, Norris, Hamilton, Verstappen, Bottas, Piastri, Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Zhou, Alonso

Credit to Alfa Romeo for getting both cars into Q3!

George Russell after his Q1 elimination:

15:47 , Kieran Jackson

“We were fast, car felt great for the whole session. I got overtaken by four cars into the last corner, so I was three-tenths down into turn 1. Really disappointed, we didn’t need to take so many risks. Car was more than quick enough to get through to Q2, Q3.

“You get what you deserve if you don’t things right.”

Charles Leclerc knocks out Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz!

15:43 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc was struggling in P12 but goes sixth-fastest, pushing his team-mate Carlos Sainz down to 11th!

Daniel Ricciardo also out! Fernando Alonso escapes in P10 by 0.002secs!

Bottom-five (11-15) and OUT in Q2: Sainz, Ocon, Ricciardo, Stroll, Gasly

Lando Norris quickest; Lewis Hamilton 2nd - bodes well for an exciting Q3!

Max Verstappen goes P2

15:40 , Kieran Jackson

A good banker for Max Verstappen. P2 - 0.219secs down on Lando Norris in first.

Current bottom-five (11-15): Ocon, Bottas, Ricciardo, Gasly, Stroll

Norris in P1 is now the only car not on track as Q2 concludes. The Ferraris of Leclerc and Sainz currently in danger in P8 and P9.

2:00 LEFT

Max Verstappen just out of the pits

15:36 , Kieran Jackson

Looks like Red Bull will be putting the pressure on their main man here - Max Verstappen comes out on a new set of medium tyres but with just five minutes left in this session.

Currently P15. Verstappen only man out on track now. These fans will be a tad nervy.

Max Verstappen has a lap time deleted!

15:34 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen had gone top - but has his lap time deleted for exceeding track limits at turn 5!

He drops back to the bottom of the pack. Lance Stroll also has a lap deleted.

At the top, it’s a McLaren one-two right now with Lando Norris first. Lewis Hamilton currently P5; Sergio Perez P3.

Current bottom-five (11-15): Bottas, Ricciardo, Gasly, Stroll, Verstappen

7:00 LEFT

Q2 now underway!

15:28 , Kieran Jackson

15 minutes now to decide the top-10 for the final part of qualifying!

The medium tyre is the mandatory compound for this session.

Could Daniel Ricciardo, somehow, get himself into Q3 on his return to Formula 1?!

Alex Albon also out in Q1!

15:23 , Kieran Jackson

16-20 and OUT in Q1: Albon, Tsunoda, Russell, Magnussen, Sargeant.

Daniel Ricciardo escapes in P15 - and beats his AlphaTauri team-mate Yuki Tsunoda!

Blimey....

George Russell is out of qualifying!

15:21 , Kieran Jackson

Wow! Lewis Hamilton did enough but his team-mate George Russell has not! Only P18! He couldn’t improve on his lap!

A shocker for Mercedes! And a fuming Toto Wolff slams the table in the garage!

“Don’t tell me we’re out. Guys, I could have gone at any point. I was in all that traffic in sector three!” Russell says, in shock, over team radio.

Russell, last year’s pole-sitter, will be at the back of the pack tomorrow!

Lewis Hamilton now out on track!

15:18 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes now leaves the pits - he’ll only have one run to get out of the bottom-five here! Pressure is on!

Current bottom-five (16-20): Albon, Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Sargeant, Magnussen

Lando Norris and George Russell in trouble in P13 and P14 respectively...

1:00 LEFT.

Lewis Hamilton still in the pits!

15:16 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton is still in the pits with 2:45 left!

He’s currently P18!

Max Verstappen now quickest with FIVE minutes left

15:14 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen goes fastest with a 1:18:658, while George Russell - last year’s pole-sitter - now up to seventh.

Lewis Hamilton yet to set a quicker time, now in 14th, as Pierre Gasly goes second-fastest.

Current bottom-five (16-20): Leclerc, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Sargeant, Magnussen

Leclerc in trouble right now!

5:00 LEFT.

Valtteri Bottas quickest in Q1 so far

15:11 , Kieran Jackson

The Alfa Romeo of Valtteri Bottas quickest so far with a 1:17, with Sergio Perez second and Lando Norris third.

Current bottom-five (16-20): Magnussen, Tsunoda, Ricciardo, Sargeant, Albon

Oscar Piastri, Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant have all had lap times deleted for exceeding track limits. Here we go again...

Lewis Hamilton only 10th-fastest so far - but the track is ramping up!

Hungarian Grand Prix race winner odds!

15:08 , Kieran Jackson

Fancy a flutter?

Favourite: Max Verstappen: 2/5

Lando Norris: 8/1Lewis Hamilton: 8/1Sergio Perez: 12/1George Russell: 22/1Charles Leclerc: 25/1Fernando Alonso: 25/1Carlos Sainz: 33/1

Odds provided by Sporting Post

Q1 underway in Hungary!

15:03 , Kieran Jackson

It’s perfect conditions in Budapest for the first qualifying session today!

18 minutes in this first session where we will, as usual, lose the slowest five cars out of the 20 on track.

A reminder: everyone will be on a mandatory hard compound tyre.

What is the new qualifying format this weekend?

14:58 , Kieran Jackson

F1 is trialling a new ‘alternative qualifying format’ this weekend in Hungary. It was originally set to debut in Imola in May but that race was cancelled.

The format is as follows: timings will be the same, but mandatory tyre allocations will not.

Q1 - hard tyre

Q2 - medium tyre

Q3 - soft tyre

Could well spice up the pecking order!

F1 qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix LIVE

14:56 , Kieran Jackson

We’re just five minutes away from qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix!

A qualifying session with a difference, too, given the new mandatory tyre allocations. Can anyone topple Max Verstappen?

The Dutchman is eyeing a sixth pole position in a row!

Daniel Ricciardo is back - and this time he wants to go out on top

14:49 , Kieran Jackson

Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson

Daniel Ricciardo is pondering. This year, a presence in the paddock – but not on the racetrack – has been a curiously flummoxing existence for someone so synonymous with a seat at the 20-man table. In his own words, he has been doing “everything the drivers are doing… other than the driving.” So aside from the obvious of the lights-to-flag racing, what has the Australian found the most difficult about his eight months away from Formula 1?

“I’d say the starting grid on Sunday,” he says, a glint in his eye, a longing for something previous. “I love that feeling before you’re about to race. It’s intense, it’s nerve-racking but it’s awesome. I miss that buzz.”

Well, miss it no longer. The Honey Badger is back. Officially on loan from Red Bull to sister team AlphaTauri for the remainder of the season, Ricciardo last week replaced the axed Nyck de Vries and will be in the cockpit in Hungary this weekend. It represents a lifeline – his lifeline – back into the sport, a carving of an opportunity so desperately craved. In the end, he only missed 10 races.

Full interview below:

Daniel Ricciardo is back - and this time he wants to go out on top

Driver Standings ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix:

14:44 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 255 points

2) Sergio Perez - 156 points

3) Fernando Alonso - 137 points

4) Lewis Hamilton - 121 points

5) Carlos Sainz - 83 points

6) George Russell - 82 points

7) Charles Leclerc - 74 points

8) Lance Stroll - 44 points

9) Lando Norris - 42 points

10) Esteban Ocon - 31 points

11) Oscar Piastri - 17 points

12) Pierre Gasly - 16 points

13) Alex Albon - 11 points

14) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points

15) Valtteri Bottas - 5 points

16) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points

17) Yuki Tsunoda - 2 points

18) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points

19) Logan Sargeant - 0 points

20) Nyck de Vries - 0 points

Lewis Hamilton fastest in final practice at Hungarian Grand Prix

14:35 , Kieran Jackson

FP3 REPORT

Lewis Hamilton raised the prospect of springing a surprise pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix after finishing fastest in final practice.

The seven-time world champion ended the concluding one-hour running before qualifying at the Hungaroring 0.250 seconds clear of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Full report below:

Lewis Hamilton fastest in final practice at Hungarian Grand Prix

Nervous, Checo? Sergio Perez crashes in practice as Daniel Ricciardo returns in Hungary

14:25 , Kieran Jackson

Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson

Two practice laps. That’s all it took for Sergio Perez to show – much to his own astonishment – how the Red Bull pendulum has swung ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. From a position of such strength three months ago off the back of two wins in four races, the Mexican’s spot at the runaway leaders in Formula 1 looks to be shrouded in more doubt as the weeks go on.

On Friday, barely five minutes into first practice at the short and twisty Hungaroring in Budapest, Perez inexplicably clipped the grass and crashed heavily into the barrier at turn five. The shunt is a sign of the times.

Full piece below:

Sergio Perez crash in Hungary practice a sign of the times

What is the new qualifying format this weekend?

14:17 , Kieran Jackson

F1 is trialling a new ‘alternative qualifying format’ this weekend in Hungary. It was originally set to debut in Imola in May but that race was cancelled.

The format is as follows: timings will be the same, but tyre allocations will not.

Q1 - hard tyre

Q2 - medium tyre

Q3 - soft tyre

Could well spice up the pecking order!

Red Bull has handed Daniel Ricciardo the first step to Sergio Perez’s seat

13:58 , Kieran Jackson

Analysis by Kieran Jackson

Within the Red Bull ecosystem, encompassing two teams on the Formula 1 grid and the junior team below, there is no doubting who the senior statesman is. When Dr Helmut Marko speaks, people listen. And for Nyck de Vries, the writing has been on the wall for a while now.

Asked after the British Grand Prix whether Red Bull’s ‘third driver’ Daniel Ricciardo could replace De Vries at Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri, Marko grinned. A grin which told us everything we need to know. “We’ll have the tyre test next week and then we’ll see,” he stated.

That test, with Ricciardo in the cockpit of Red Bull’s RB19 rocketship for the first time this season, took place on Tuesday morning at Silverstone. Hours later, the Australian’s return to F1 was confirmed.

Full piece below:

Red Bull has handed Daniel Ricciardo the first step to Sergio Perez’s seat

Constructors standings ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix:

13:45 , Kieran Jackson

1) Red Bull - 411 points

2) Mercedes - 203 points

3) Aston Martin - 181 points

4) Ferrari - 157 points

5) McLaren - 59 points

6) Alpine - 47 points

7) Williams - 11 points

8) Haas - 11 points

9) Alfa Romeo - 9 points

10) AlphaTauri - 2 points

Lewis Hamilton fastest in final practice at Hungarian Grand Prix

13:38 , Kieran Jackson

FP3 REPORT

Lewis Hamilton raised the prospect of springing a surprise pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix after finishing fastest in final practice.

The seven-time world champion ended the concluding one-hour running before qualifying at the Hungaroring 0.250 seconds clear of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Full report below:

Lewis Hamilton fastest in final practice at Hungarian Grand Prix

The moment Lando Norris came of age in British Grand Prix – and it wasn’t his super start

13:30 , Kieran Jackson

Comment by Kieran Jackson

At the beginning of the season, a mere 10 races ago, Lando Norris endured an opener of excruciating torment in Bahrain. With his stricken McLaren impacted by a “pneumatic pressure leak”, the Brit valiantly took the chequered flag in dead last after pitting an astonishing six times throughout the race. It was, simply, a shambles.

But that now seems nothing but a distant memory, four months on in the safe haven of the British Isles.

Most observers did not raise an eyebrow when McLaren announced a number of upgrades to their car ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix last week. It is the phase of the season where every team is changing parts in search of that extra tenth or two of speed. Usually, by way of natural progression, the improvement is gradual. Yet out of an abyss of doom to start 2023, the papaya have come storming back into contention.

Full piece below:

The moment Norris came of age in British Grand Prix – and it wasn’t his super start

What is the new qualifying format this weekend?

13:18 , Kieran Jackson

F1 is trialling a new ‘alternative qualifying format’ this weekend in Hungary. It was originally set to debut in Imola in May but that race was cancelled.

The format is as follows: timings will be the same, but tyre allocations will not.

Q1 - hard tyre

Q2 - medium tyre

Q3 - soft tyre

Could well spice up the pecking order!

Toto Wolff on Lewis Hamilton’s new contract:

13:04 , Kieran Jackson

“We haven’t signed it but emotionally we have!”

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff after FP3:

12:55 , Kieran Jackson

“This tyre format is weird, no one understands where you are. Put on the softs and the grip was very good, Lewis is able to add another two and three tenths.

“George was saying the car was completely transformed with the soft on. A second quicker. We don’t see how we can run it in the race though.

“If teams just drive one tyre in FP1 or FP2, it doesn’t make any sense. You can’t really understand the pecking order. It’s not broken, let’s keep it.

“To a large degree we’re on next year’s car. Slowly but surely everything is transitioning to next year.”

FP3 CLASSIFICATION

12:47 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton a happy man after FP3!

12:39 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton the fastest man in third practice!

12:34 , Kieran Jackson

An encouraging hour for the eight-time winner in Hungary Lewis Hamilton - he’s quickest with a 1:17:811!

Max Verstappen is second, 0.250secs back, with Sergio Perez in third.

Nico Hulkenberg - who has been so impressive for Haas on Saturdays so far this season - is fourth, with Lando Norris fifth.

6-10: Russell, Leclerc, Sainz, Alonso, Bottas

Daniel Ricciardo, incidentally, down in 18th but quicker than his AlphaTauri team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in dead-last!

Should make for an interesting qualifying I reckon!

Max Verstappen not happy:

12:30 , Kieran Jackson

“Unbelievable! No f***ing grip!” says Verstappen!

He’s not overly happy out there is the championship leader!

He won’t like being behind Lewis Hamilton either!

Final qualifying simulation runs coming up now...

Lewis Hamilton quickest in FP3!

12:27 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton goes fastest with a 1:17:811 on soft tyres for Mercedes!

Max Verstappen is 0.250 secs back for Red Bull in second, with Sergio Perez in third.

4-10: Norris, Russell, Alonso, Bottas, Stroll, Zhou, Albon

10 minutes to go... and both Ferraris are in the bottom-three!

Alfa Romeo now towards the top of the standings

12:03 , Kieran Jackson

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are second and third respectively after half-an-hour!

Bottas is just 0.011 secs off Verstappen’s leading time of 1:18:478.

Zhou is 0.066 secs off Verstappen, with Lando Norris in fourth and Sergio Perez fifth.

“Just randomly lost the rear there,” Verstappen said. That’ll be the wind, Max....

Lewis Hamilton down in 10th for the time being, with George Russell in 14th.

McLaren look quick again!

11:49 , Kieran Jackson

Oscar Piastri has just put in a belter of a lap, going third - 0.471 secs off Verstappen‘s leading time of 1:18:478.

Esteban Ocon goes fourth, with Lando Norris in fifth.

6-10: Gasly, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso

20 minutes gone in FP3...

Max Verstappen top of the timesheet early on

11:40 , Kieran Jackson

After finishing an odd 11th place in second practice on Friday, Max Verstappen is back where he belongs here - top of the timesheets in FP3 early on with a 1:18:478 on mediums, with Sergio Perez setting the exactly the same time in second!

Charles Leclerc is third for Ferrari, with Lance Stroll fourth and Alex Albon fifth.

“I think I’m struggling with the wind,” says Carlos Sainz on what is clearly a gusty day.

Both Mercedes and McLaren drivers yet to leave the pits after the first 10 minutes...

FP3 underway!

11:34 , Kieran Jackson

It’s a stunning day in Budapest as we get underway with third practice!

Daniel Ricciardo among one of the first drivers out on track in the Hungarian capital...

FP3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix LIVE

11:28 , Kieran Jackson

We’re just a few minutes away from the third and final hour of practice at the Hungaroring!

It was a tough day to read on Friday, with the first practice a washout and FP2 producing a mixed-up leaderboard - what will Saturday morning bring?

Lewis Hamilton reacts to Nyck de Vries axing: ‘That’s how Red Bull work’

11:19 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton has criticised Red Bull’s decision to axe Nyck De Vries after just 10 races.

Daniel Ricciardo has been handed a second chance in Formula One, replacing De Vries at Red Bull’s junior team AlphaTauri for the concluding dozen rounds of the year, starting at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday.

De Vries, 28, crashed on multiple occasions and failed to score a single point, with a best finish of 12th in Monaco, before he was handed his marching orders by Red Bull’s ruthless motorsport adviser Helmut Marko 48 hours after he finished 17th and last at the British Grand Prix.

“I am not surprised to see Daniel back but I was surprised to see the decision they took for poor Nyck,” said Hamilton at the Hungaroring.

‘That’s how Red Bull work’: Lewis Hamilton reacts to Nyck de Vries axing

Constructors standings ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix:

11:09 , Kieran Jackson

1) Red Bull - 411 points

2) Mercedes - 203 points

3) Aston Martin - 181 points

4) Ferrari - 157 points

5) McLaren - 59 points

6) Alpine - 47 points

7) Williams - 11 points

8) Haas - 11 points

9) Alfa Romeo - 9 points

10) AlphaTauri - 2 points

Sebastian Vettel hints at return to F1: ‘I have some ideas’

10:58 , Kieran Jackson

Sebastian Vettel revealed he “has some ideas” about a return to Formula 1 in some capacity in the future.

The 36-year-old retired from the sport after the 2022 season, leaving a lasting legacy with his four championship triumphs with Red Bull from 2010-2013.

The German, who also raced for Ferrari and Aston Martin, is a climate change activist and campaigner and regularly spoke out about environmental issues towards the end of his career. Now, Vettel admits that he would be open to a return to F1 down the line, hinting that the sport’s sustainability could be a potential avenue.

Full quotes below:

Sebastian Vettel hints at return to F1: ‘I have some ideas’

Christian Horner responds to Red Bull-cost cap punishment accusations:

10:43 , Kieran Jackson

Daniel Ricciardo is back - and this time he wants to go out on top

10:30 , Kieran Jackson

Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson

Daniel Ricciardo is pondering. This year, a presence in the paddock – but not on the racetrack – has been a curiously flummoxing existence for someone so synonymous with a seat at the 20-man table. In his own words, he has been doing “everything the drivers are doing… other than the driving.” So aside from the obvious of the lights-to-flag racing, what has the Australian found the most difficult about his eight months away from Formula 1?

“I’d say the starting grid on Sunday,” he says, a glint in his eye, a longing for something previous. “I love that feeling before you’re about to race. It’s intense, it’s nerve-racking but it’s awesome. I miss that buzz.”

Well, miss it no longer. The Honey Badger is back. Officially on loan from Red Bull to sister team AlphaTauri for the remainder of the season, Ricciardo last week replaced the axed Nyck de Vries and will be in the cockpit in Hungary this weekend. It represents a lifeline – his lifeline – back into the sport, a carving of an opportunity so desperately craved. In the end, he only missed 10 races.

Full interview below:

Daniel Ricciardo is back - and this time he wants to go out on top

Driver Standings ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix:

10:27 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 255 points

2) Sergio Perez - 156 points

3) Fernando Alonso - 137 points

4) Lewis Hamilton - 121 points

5) Carlos Sainz - 83 points

6) George Russell - 82 points

7) Charles Leclerc - 74 points

8) Lance Stroll - 44 points

9) Lando Norris - 42 points

10) Esteban Ocon - 31 points

11) Oscar Piastri - 17 points

12) Pierre Gasly - 16 points

13) Alex Albon - 11 points

14) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points

15) Valtteri Bottas - 5 points

16) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points

17) Yuki Tsunoda - 2 points

18) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points

19) Logan Sargeant - 0 points

20) Nyck de Vries - 0 points

Nervous, Checo? Sergio Perez crashes in practice as Daniel Ricciardo returns in Hungary

10:24 , Kieran Jackson

Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson

Two practice laps. That’s all it took for Sergio Perez to show – much to his own astonishment – how the Red Bull pendulum has swung ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. From a position of such strength three months ago off the back of two wins in four races, the Mexican’s spot at the runaway leaders in Formula 1 looks to be shrouded in more doubt as the weeks go on.

On Friday, barely five minutes into first practice at the short and twisty Hungaroring in Budapest, Perez inexplicably clipped the grass and crashed heavily into the barrier at turn five. The shunt is a sign of the times.

Full piece below:

Sergio Perez crash in Hungary practice a sign of the times

F1 qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix LIVE

10:22 , Kieran Jackson

The Formula 1 paddock returns to Budapest this weekend for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the popular Hungaroring circuit.

Max Verstappen is looking for a seventh grand prix victory in a row at a track where he won last year from 10th on the grid. The Dutchman is cruising to a third world championship this season, currently holding a 99-point to Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in second.

Yet the biggest talking point this weekend is Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the grid with AlphaTauri. The Australian, dropped by McLaren last year, replaces Nyck de Vries for the remainder of this season and starts at a track where he claimed his second F1 victory in 2014.

Lando Norris will be hoping to back up his strong performance for McLaren at Silverstone two weeks ago, a race where Lewis Hamilton finished third for Mercedes. Hamilton is an eight-time winner in Hungary.

FP1 starts at 11:30pm; qualifying is at 3pm (BST).