Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the first practice session for the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, Hungary, Friday, July 17, 2020. The Hungarian F1 Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (Darko Bandic/Pool via AP)
BUDAPEST, Hungary— Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton posted the fastest time Friday in the first practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
In gloomy conditions with light rain on the Hungaroring track, Hamilton was .086 seconds quicker than Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas and .527 seconds ahead of Racing Point driver Sergio Pérez.
Lance Stroll was fourth for Racing Point, which uses Mercedes engines.
Ferrari again lacked pace, with Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc both more than one second behind Hamilton’s leading time.
There is a second practice later Friday.
The Mercedes drivers have won one race each from pole position this season. Bottas won the season-opening Austrian GP and Hamilton clinched the Styrian GP in Austria last Sunday for his 85th F1 win.