F1 Hungarian GP live updates - media day

We're going to close up our live feed for tonight, but thank you for joining us - and we'll see you throughout the weekend as we bring you coverage of the practice sessions, qualifying, and the race.

Oh, and stay across Motorsport.com and Autosport for your racing fix. Catch you tomorrow!

Hungarian GP schedule

For those wanting to know a bit more about times this weekend, we've got you covered:

FP1 begins at 13:30 local time tomorrow, with FP2 scheduled for 17:00 Hungarian time.

FP3 on Saturday is at 12:30 local, quali at 16:00 local, and then Sunday's race at 15:00 local.

General view of the main straight

Photo by: Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Norris on growth through 2025: "I've had my tricky moments"

Lando Norris broke down his 2025 season so far, noting his early struggles to drive the car and his own adaptation to the MCL39.

Although the car has been hugely successful, Norris noted that he struggled to handle it and stated that it had been a departure from what he'd been used to previously - 

"I've had my tricky moments with the car and understanding how to drive it; yes, it's a McLaren and it's still got papaya on it, but it handles pretty differently to how it's done in in previous years. I've had to, to just adapt to that, and it's not suited me as well.

"It's tough and I've had to do and I've needed to do a better job to get back to to being as quick as I need to be - which I feel like I've done and I've improved on.

"I think my, my ability to improve on worst moments has improved, or ability to improve on certain struggles that you might achieve during a weekend or over a session or practice, whatever it is."

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

Hamilton on Vasseur, upgraded suspension effect

Lewis Hamilton says that he'd only heard about Fred Vasseur's contract extension yesterday, but the Ferrari driver added that he "told [the media] before that [keeping him] was the right choice". 

"Fred signed me here and I want to work with him," he added.

He followed up by giving his verdict on Ferrari's revised rear suspension package that the team brought to Spa, stating that there was still room to "fine tune" the set-up around it.

"I think that we've got the upgrade I think is a real positive, and we're still trying to extract.

"I think there's more opportunities to extract more from it, so we're still fine tuning it, but Charles did a great job last weekend and got a podium. We're not currently at the pace of the McLaren still, whether or not we will, I have no idea. I hope so."

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images

Tsunoda: Mekies' "nice aura" a confidence boost

Yuki Tsunoda was reunited with his old Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies last week at Spa, following the Frenchman's promotion to the Red Bull team principal role in the wake of Christian Horner's dismissal.

So how does that feel? Tsunoda says that Mekies' approach made him feel valued and offered confidence - yielding his first Q3 appearance since Miami.

"The difference, it's more like a kind of flashback when I was in VCARB," Tsunoda said. "Like every session after he always comes to me and ask about feedback, how the car felt, how I was in the session compared to other competitors, where I was lacking most in terms of corners, everything.

"Those kind of conversation I definitely have more now with Laurent and especially that kind of little touch, in qualifying, for example, we're going through Q3 and in VCARB when I was going through Q3, he always gives me some bit of smiles from the pit wall and that kind of things.

"I had exactly the same when I went to Q3 [at Spa], he gave me a nice smiles from the pit wall, that extra confidence or extra kind of comfort that he gives, from his just generally nice aura and treatment."

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images

Antonelli: Mercedes reverting to old rear suspension

Kimi Antonelli says that Mercedes' switch back to the old suspension Mercedes has been driven by the desire to stop its recent regression and - later alluded to by Russell - install a baseline that the team and drivers are more comfortable with.

"We're going back to the old suspension, and that hopefully will bring the feeling back because since we moved to that suspension apart from Canada, I've been struggling to drive the car and getting the confidence.

"Probably also my side, I didn't adapt the best because I was always trying to keep my style and to drive the car the way I wanted it, but it didn't really work out and George on the other hand, has been adapting better.

"He has a different driving style, but he's been able to adapt a bit better and I think that's what's been hurting me in this European season.

"Hopefully by going with the old suspension, it will bring back a bit the feeling I had prior to the start of the European season."

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images

Russell "never feared" losing Mercedes seat

The stories linking Max Verstappen to Mercedes have died down of late, potentially coinciding with the arrival of Laurent Mekies at Red Bull. Regardless, George Russell doesn't feel like his future at the team was ever in doubt.

He says that there are no time pressures on either side to conclude a deal with Mercedes, and trusts the team's decision-making process.

"Not really [worried], no, because they ultimately hold the cards because of the situation we find ourselves in with the management agreement so they've had no rush to sign Kimi or I because we've got sort of this longer term overriding deal in place.

"The truth is I've never feared losing my seat and that's not even been on the table once this year, even though of course you guys like to make a a big deal out of it.

"It's been been a long time that, you know, maybe 12 months ago I was a bit more anxious and wanted to get something sorted or confirmed for '26, maybe six months ago, I felt the same, but now I'm performing better than ever. I still feel I've got more to give.

"I've waited so long and I think now I want get through this weekend, I want to go on holiday next week and enjoy the break.

"And there is no time pressure on my side, there's no time pressure from the team's side, so whenever we come to an agreement, we'll get it done, but it's got to be right both ways."

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Lawson picks out qualifying as biggest area for improvement

Liam Lawson says that after a difficult start to 2025, the "rocky start has evened out" since moving to Racing Bulls.

Asked where he felt he could improve after the opening 13 races, Lawson said that nailing qualifying offered more in return, noting that the field was so close now that it made it more difficult to make headway during a race if a driver qualifies low down the order.

Asked if his points-finish at Spa was the best race of his season, Lawson disagreed and felt that Austria's sixth-place fit the bill.

"[Versus Spa] I think Austria was the more complete weekend - we maximised everything, in qualifying, and the race," Lawson said.

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

Leclerc delighted to see Vasseur stay at Ferrari

Charles Leclerc says that he's delighted to see Fred Vasseur's extension be announced after much in the way of rumours in the past few months.

"I'm really happy, it's not a surprise. There were rumours around the team, but that we have the official news out is really important. Fred has an incredible vision and I think what is difficult with Ferrari is the emotion is part of the daily job.

"Italians are extremely passionate about Ferrari, but Fred is able to leave his emotions at the door. He is able to extract the maximum from the people at the factory and, when you put it all together, it's extremely important."

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photo by: Ferrari

Piastri expects 2025 title battle to remain close with Norris

Oscar Piastri says that he expects his 2025 title battle to remain a close-run thing with Lando Norris, as the two have zigged and zagged over the year.

Asked if he felt the championship was a two-horse race, Piastri replied "I suppose so" and reckoned that his team-mate would continue to keep the pressure on him.

Piastri and Norris are separated by 16 points at the top of the championship, with just Hungary to go before the summer break.

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Erik Junius

Press conferences from Hungary on now

The official FIA press conferences are being broadcast from the Hungaroring, starting with Oscar Piastri, Pierre Gasly, and Esteban Ocon.

Charles Leclerc, Lance Stroll, and Liam Lawson will be up afterwards.

Alonso on Hungary '03 memories, tracks make rain-affected races like driving "on a mirror"

Fernando Alonso says he genuinely doesn't remember much about his first F1 win at the Hungaroring in 2003, as he was whisked away to Poland for a marketing event straight after the race.

"A first win in Formula 1 always special, I don't remember much of that day because, we went to, I think, Poland that afternoon because we had to be in a show on Monday morning early, Flavio, Jarno [Trulli] and myself.

"I couldn't celebrate it properly the Sunday night because we were on a marketing day. It was a bit of a shame!

Alonso also explained why he felt that wet weather visibility is perceived to have become worse; he says that the wider tyres introduced in 2017 are partly to blame.

"The wide tyres definitely made visibility worse, and probably some of the asphalts on the circuits, they are a little bit different than what they've been in the past because we raised with a lot of water in Sepang, in different circuits and it was always OK.

"Now this new generation of asphalt, which is very black and very grippy on dry conditions, is like a mirror in wet conditions."

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Colapinto missing confidence, needs perfect weekend

Franco Colapinto lifted the lid on why his time with Alpine thus far has been a difficult stint, as he says the A525 doesn't give him the same front-end confidence as last year's Williams FW46.

The Argentine says that none of his seven weekends so far have been perfect and he is struggling to come across a situation where he and the team have "maximised" what the car can do.

"We are still not doing everything perfect. There is just moments in the weekend that we are getting things wrong and it's compromising a bit our weekend," Colapinto said.

"I just don't really find a weekend that I feel we've done everything perfect at the moment or like it has been, we maximised everything that we have, and that's what I'm trying to work with to get better with the team.

Colapinto on car struggles: "I said since the start that I'm lacking confidence in the car and that I'm not finding my feet in some corners.

"I'm like struggling to be able to turn in and to come into the corners and that's just not really give me much confidence.

"I didn't have this issue last year. I could go straight in and be quick straight straight away and straightforward and now I'm struggling a bit more with that. That's the reality."

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images

Bearman on missed opportunities: "We've learned from Spa"

The Haas team showed great pace at Spa-Francorchamps, and scored fifth and seventh in the sprint race - but the team had been unable to put the results together in the grand prix.

This followed the sense that the team had been struggling to close out points, which Bearman largely agreed with.

"Yeah, there's been a few missed opportunities across across the previous weekends. Spa was a big one and in the race I think we could have scored points with a number of things that happened, and we still finished within striking distance of P10.

"The car's been really fast, which is great. There's still a few things we need to brush up on, but we've learned from our mistakes in Spa and it's just been another one of those weekends where we've been caught out by little things.

"I'm confident that now we can put these things into practice and and have a slightly better weekend."

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

Hadjar admits to early doubts he could thrive in F1

Isack Hadjar has been one of the revelations of 2025, impressing with his excellent qualifying speed - he currently sits 11th in the championship with 22 points.

But he admitted to two things ahead of the Hungarian GP: one, that he suffered a few doubts before stepping up to F1 full-time with Racing Bulls, and two, that he needs "to cheer up" when he gets good results.

"If you make it to F1 then, it's not by luck, so obviously you know you're quite OK. At the same time you always have doubts and it's normal," Hadjar said.

"You always question yourself with 'am I good enough?' And that's what I thought, you know, I had doubts because I didn't have a lot of mileage. It's a big step to F2. But in the end now I'm fully used to to its speed and I'm not surprised."

Hadjar on being reluctant to celebrate results: "I'm self-critical a lot and I've been told by my entourage, you know, I need to cheer up a bit more because the mechanics, the engineers, they need to hear positive things, but I can tell you when I do the job and I'm happy with myself, if there's someone that celebrates and that goes crazy, it's me. But it's quite rare!"

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

Vasseur signs extension with Ferrari

While we've been getting up to speed with everything happening in the paddock in Hungary, there was news this morning that Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has extended his contract with the team - shutting off the speculation about his future earlier in the season.

More on that below. 

Formula 1

Ferrari extends Fred Vasseur's contract as F1 team boss

Fred Vasseur will continue to be Ferrari's F1 team principal after agreeing a contract extension

Today's Hungarian Grand Prix paddock photos

Want to see the best images from the day? Click here and you'll be transported to the thick of it at the Hungaroring.

General view of motorhomes in the Paddock

Photo by: Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images

Sainz: Finishing fifth would demonstrate Williams' positive direction

It hasn't been a smooth year for Carlos Sainz, as his move to Williams has required him to adapt to a brand new team on the rise - and it's not been quite plain sailing.

Regardless, he believes that the momentum is building and that locking down fifth in the constructors' championship - Williams is currently 27 points clear of Sauber - would demonstrate the success of the team's new working methods.

"For me it would be, I think as a team, a successful year to to score 5th in the championship and show massive progress. It would show a positive direction of the team.

"The gathering momentum in 2026 with all the big changes that that are happening and everything that we are investing into it, for me, is important - even if I'm taking my time to adapt to the team.

"I don't think I took my time to adapt to the car. I think I was quite quick straight away.It's just getting results and putting things together that has been a struggle since the beginning of the year.

"Still in race 12 we are doesn't seem like we're getting any better at putting things together, but it will come at some point.

"In the meantime, I'll just keep my head down and I'm pretty sure the result is about to come."

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Williams

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

Albon says Williams' Spa result was "needed" for momentum

Williams took a new floor to last week's Belgian Grand Prix, a development that had been in the pipeline for some time. With it, Alex Albon took the car to sixth at Spa.

He said that this was a result that adds momentum back to the team's season, and shows the efficacy of Williams' upgrade developments.

"It was good momentum," Albon said, "and we needed it because we obviously had a few tough races and just puts up everyone's energy back at the factory, back here at the racetrack. We obviously saw a lot of our rivals putting on upgrades and and us falling back.

"So it was a bit of a statement from us to kind of, I think firstly prove that when we do bring upgrades they work and then get a good points haul. I don't think it will necessarily carry over to every race, especially this weekend, but yeah, we were falling back and it was good to get back."

Alex Albon, Williams

Photo by: Jayce Illman / Getty Images

Hulkenberg: "Would have been nice to start" where Sauber currently is

On his own verdict of the year so far, Nico Hulkenberg has praised his Sauber team for "heading in the right direction" with its progress over the year.

He conceded that he'd have preferred to start the year where the team is, rather than its earlier position well behind the rest of the order, but accepts that the team was on a different path.

"It's definitely more positive than anything else. If you consider and look from winter testing where we started the first couple of races, then since Barcelona, five races consecutively in the points, a podium, a couple of you know really strong drives and performances from us. I think the trend is right.

"It would have been would have been nice to start there, but you know it came different, but definitely recently I think we are heading in the right direction.

"It remains the same thing in the midfield, or there's basically 5 teams that are very, very close to each other and depending on the day, on the circuit, on the conditions, it swings around a bit, the momentum."

On the Belgian GP stop that took him out of the points: "I don't think I would have survived. I was struggling with my front tyres and it was 12 laps to go 13, and you know just a combination of things on the setup that wasn't ideal in hindsight and put us in that position.

"I called it, I was not happy and it wasn't going well. I arrived back to the to the pack, but the train was difficult to get through quickly. I have no big regrets about that."

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

Bortoleto on 2025 so far: "I've only gained confidence"

Gabriel Bortoleto has given his verdict on his rookie F1 season with Sauber, and feels pleased with his progress over the opening 13 races. 

He pointed to Sauber's lowly start to the year and his Australian GP debut off as a moment where he could have lost confidence, but believes he's been able to keep that at bay.

"I'm actually very happy with my rookie season so far, from where we started it has been very tough, the beginning of the season with the car and being able to overcome that moment.

"Instead of losing confidence, I actually only gained confidence this year.

"So when you have a very tough car, I believe it's very easy to - especially at the beginning of your career in F1 - lose confidence with the car and not push enough in the corners after, and then you start being slow and you don't know why. And that was not the case so far.

"I've been only learning and learning every single round, so I would say this is a very good and positive thing. That's why I rate my season quite highly so far."

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Photo by: Clive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images

What's new in Hungary?

One of the big additions to the paddock in Hungary is...well, an entirely new one! The pit and hospitality building has been completely demolished and rebuilt, as has the main grandstand overlooking the start-finish line.

Hopefully, if the guys on the ground can spare a moment (and they've got a flat-out day ahead) they can share what the new building is like. I can certainly remember the 'quirks' of the old one...

General view of the pit lane

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

F1 Hungarian GP - media day begins

Hello everyone, and welcome along to our coverage of the Hungarian Grand Prix, starting off with the customary media sessions in the paddock as each of the 20 drivers will speak across the day.

We begin with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto, whose session should be underway as we speak - as our journalists get this thoughts just under a week after his points-scoring finish at Spa.

And we'll have more insight too from our folks on the ground.

Circuit detail

Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images