Hamilton fastest, Perez unhurt after crash

A suspension problem on his Force India vehicle caused Friday’s crash in a practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

This would be the second red flag of the practice session, which would ultimately leave under half a minute for drivers to continue racing until the end of the session.

Mexican Sergio Perez scrambled free from the wreckage of a heavy crash that left his Force India upside down on the track, halting first practice for the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix yesterday.

It wasn’t a smooth session for the other Ferrari driver either, as Sebastian Vettel was delayed by nearly 45 minutes with an electrical problem before a lack of power curtailed his morning.

Hamilton changed the construction of his brakes last year – switching from Brembo discs to Carbone Industrie ahead of the German GP after a brake failure resulted in him crashing during qualifying – and Rosberg confirmed that he has also been experimenting with different components. Hamilton had been top at the time of the stoppage and retained the position on a 1:25.141, ending the session 0.109s clear of team-mate Nico Rosberg.

“Sergio’s auto suffered significant damage to the bodywork, wings and floor, and repairs are ongoing”, Force India said in a statement. His Force India then had one of theslowest flips we’ve seen. It is so fun to drive – the combination of corners. “Getting out of the vehicle was quite a challenge, but thank God (nothing) happened and I’m here”.

Formula 1 was given two reminders of just how risky the sport is recently and Lewis Hamilton feels the public underestimates the risks that drivers face.

“It went from oversteer to understeer, a bit hard to explain, but I was always chasing my tail in a way, ” said Rosberg, who trails Hamilton by 17 points in the title race.

The session restarted with a little over 18 minutes remaining and it was Lewis Hamilton who led the way. With plumes of smoke billowing from the back of his Red Bull, the Australian was forced to pull off the track at turn 11. “I will be carrying Jules with me in my prayers and thoughts, not only this race but for the rest of my driving days”, Hamilton said.

“I don’t think there was suspension failure”. Jenson Button was four tenths slower than his team-mate in 13th. Many drivers walked around the Hungarian circuit this week wearing Bianchi’s race number of 17, as part of their tribute.

Bianchi, 25, succumbed to severe head injuries last week sustained in an accident in October’s Japanese Grand Prix after a protracted nine-month long battle.