Vandoorne pips Leclerc mid-day in Budapest

40

McLaren-Honda's Stoffel Vandoorne emerged as the fastest runner mid-day at the Budapest in-season F1 test.

The Belgian clocked in with 34 laps under his belt and a 1:18.370 to top the timesheet but parked his MCL32 on the track in the dying stages of the session before the lunch-break.

Vandoorne edged out Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by just 0.093s. The young Frenchman, driving a new-spec car for the first time in his career, endured a spin early on but consistently improved his pace, even topping the timesheet at one point with a 1:18.463.

Behind Leclerc, Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas was the morning's marathon man, putting in 71 laps as he undertook development work for Pirelli.

GP3 star George Russell was also in action for the Silver Arrows outfit, accumulating 54 laps to end sixth fastest and 1.823s adrift from Vandoorne's fastest time.

Toro Rosso's Sean Gelael and Sauber's Gustav Malja rounded off the timesheet, with the former causing a lengthy red flag in the session when his car stooped out on the track.

Follow the Budapest in-season F1 test LIVE!

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

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.