Leclerc Crashes in Hungarian GP Practice as Norris Tops Leaderboard

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc crashed during the second Hungarian Grand Prix practice session, while McLaren's Lando Norris clocked the fastest time. Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz followed close behind. The session saw various performance trials, with significant updates from teams ahead of the race.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc crashed in the second Hungarian Grand Prix practice session on Friday, causing a red flag and temporary halt with 43 minutes remaining. Meanwhile, McLaren's Lando Norris posted the fastest lap, completing the circuit in one minute and 17.788 seconds under scorching track conditions.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, leading the championship by 84 points, trailed Norris by 0.243 seconds in an upgraded car. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who topped the first session, was third, followed by Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Mercedes' George Russell. This session marked Perez's best Friday since China in April.

The practice session resumed 15 minutes after the crash, with medical assessments confirming Leclerc was unhurt. Mercedes had notable performances with Kevin Magnussen sixth and Lewis Hamilton seventh. Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, Williams' Alex Albon, and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso rounded out the top 10. Various team upgrades and trials were evident, promising a competitive race weekend ahead.

(With inputs from agencies.)