F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Leclerc: SF1000 performing 'better than expected' in Hungary

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc says the team's troubled SF1000 is performing better than expected in Hungary, in part thanks to the venue's tight and twisty layout.

The Scuderia's troubled start to its 2020 campaign compelled the Italian outfit to introduce an update package last week in Austria that was initially scheduled for Hungary.

Leclerc and Vettel's painful retirement on the opening lap of the Styrian Grand Prix crushed the team's plans to assess its package in racing conditions.

Vettel said the updates were not "a game changer" but Leclerc felt the SF1000's balance was better in Hungary relative to last weekend.

"This morning it went better than what we expected to be honest," said Leclerc who finished FP1 in seventh place.

"We didn’t arrive here with lots of new pieces. Actually, it’s pretty much the same car but it looks like the car is better on this track, which is a good thing.

"This afternoon I struggled quite a bit on my side. We were trying different things and I wasn’t very happy with the car, and just struggling with the confidence in the wet.

"We’ve seen some positive signs this morning.''

©Ferrari

Vettel, who was fastest in the rain-disrupted second practice session, also believes that Ferrari's level of performance will get a boost from the track's configuration.

"I think this morning was okay, I think it should be a bit better for us on this track. Let's hope that it stays like this tomorrow," said the German.

"We don't know until we hit qualifying. We used a little bit more laps than others in the wet, just to try and see after our weaknesses last week, and understand a little bit further.

"There's still a lot of homework to do. But yeah, overall, it seemed like a better day."

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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.

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