Lewis Hamilton says he is pleased to see Red Bull looking competitive ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Mercedes has won eight of the nine races so far this season, with Sebastian Vettel winning the other in Malaysia at the start of the year. However, Red Bull looked very quick during Friday practice at the Hungaroring and Hamilton was happy to hear there could be more competition on race day.

"That’s good, that’s good," Hamilton said. "The more the merrier, the more battles we have the better. The car is feeling quite good this weekend."

Hamilton admits the high temperatures made life uncomfortable for the drivers on track, and hopes for cooler conditions throughout the rest of the weekend.

When told temperatures should drop on Sunday, Hamilton replied: "That’d be good!

"Honestly, I can’t express to you how hot it is in this suit and thermal underwear. Before you get in the car you’re drenched – I think in that session I lost a kilo. I think being a little bit cooler will change the balance of the car but we’re looking pretty good at the moment."

REPORT: Hamilton heads Red Bull pair in FP2 hit by another red flag

Click here for a gallery of Sergio Perez's crash in FP1 at the Hungarian Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.

Recent Posts

‘That was on me’ – Perez owns up to Shanghai tangle with Bottas

Last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix was barely a few corners old before the black-and-white Cadillacs…

7 hours ago

Leclerc defies peers, defends F1 new era: ‘It doesn’t feel artificial’

The 2026 Formula 1 season has touched down with the subtlety of a localized earthquake,…

9 hours ago

Norris: McLaren ‘not at level we need’ but confident of turnaround

Lando Norris was denied the chance to race in Shanghai, but the reigning world champion…

10 hours ago

A picture-perfect St. Patrick's Day!

Bring out your green, for it's St. Patrick's Day, which is the perfect excuse for…

12 hours ago

Wolff's Mercedes heritage flight for past and present stars

Once a Mercedes driver, always a Mercedes driver – and apparently always welcome aboard Toto…

12 hours ago

Very happy Gasly says Alpine now ‘in a completely different league’

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly walked away from last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix with a smile –…

13 hours ago