Budapest (AFP)

Britain's Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) set the fastest time of the first free practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the 12th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, on Friday at the Hungaroring (4,381 km) in Budapest.

In 1 min 17 sec 233/1000, the leader of the World Championship, with a lead of 41 points, is ahead of the Dutch Max Verstappen (Red Bull), winner of the previous round in Germany, 165/1000 and the German Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) of 166/1000.

France's Pierre Gasly (Red Bull) clocked a fourth fastest time of 449/1000, ahead of Denmark's Kevin Magnussen (Haas), 709/1000 from Hamilton, and Monaco's Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), at 955/1000.

Germany's Nico Hülkenberg (Renault), Briton Lando Norris and Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr (McLaren) and Finland's Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo Racing) complete the top 10 in a session disrupted by a light rain after a half an hour taxiing.

Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) could only complete two laps because of an engine problem. His car then stayed in the garage to change it. This new power unit has already been used, the Finn will not be penalized on the starting grid, said his team.

The second free practice session is scheduled from 15h00 to 16h30 local (13h00-14h30 GMT).

. 1st free practice session:

Lewis Hamilton (GBR / Mercedes) 1: 17.233 (41 laps)

Max Verstappen (NED / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 17.398 (28)

Sebastian Vettel (GER / Ferrari) 1: 17.399 (25)

Pierre Gasly (FRA / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 17.682 (25)

Kevin Magnussen (DEN / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 17.942 (31)

Charles Leclerc (MON / Ferrari) 1: 18.188 (29)

Nico Hulkenberg (GER / Renault) 1: 18.417 (31)

Lando Norris (GBR / McLaren-Renault) 1: 18.531 (34)

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP / McLaren-Renault) 1: 18.702 (23)

Kimi Raikkonen (FIN / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 18.787 (32)

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS / Renault) 1: 18.894 (30)

Romain Grosjean (FRA / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 18.973 (32)

Daniil Kvyat (RUS / Toro Rosso-Honda) 1: 18.982 (33)

Alexander Albon (THA / Toro Rosso-Honda) 1: 19.223 (28)

Sergio Perez (MEX / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 19.325 (20)

Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 19.488 (24)

George Russell (GBR / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 19.649 (33)

Lance Stroll (CAN / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 19.722 (34)

Robert Kubica (POL / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 20.322 (30)

Valtteri Bottas (FIN / Mercedes) untimed (2)

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