Josef Kral fastest during GP2 practice at Hungary

Josef Kral has ended GP2‘s free practice session fastest for Barwa Addax, as the Formula 1 feeder series got their first taste of the tricky Hungaroring circuit. Racing Engineering’s Fabio Leimer was 2nd, followed closely by the Lotus of James Calado.

This session will be the only chance the 26 drivers have to learn the characteristics of the Hungaroring, before they are plunged into the all-important qualifying session later this afternoon for tomorrow’s feature race. The session was run in warm and sunny conditions, unlike last week in Germany when rain plagued proceedings.

Dutchman Daniël de Jong was the first driver to take the track, leading out the traditional long line of awaiting cars. The Rapax driver set the first timed lap of the session with a 01:41.160, which was quickly beaten a lap later by Esteban Gutierrez with a 01:31.241. The Mexican’s time atop the leader board was then bettered by team-mate James Calado, with a 01:30.483.

Championship leader Luiz Razia then spun whilst negotiating the tricky turn 12, a corner which saw many Formula 1 drivers exceed the track limits during first practice earlier in the morning. However, the Brazilian driver resumed racing as Marcus Ericsson went fastest overall with a 01:30.422.

As expected, the times quickly began to tumble as the session wore on. Dutchman Giedo van der Garde went fastest with a 01:30.280, before Fabio Leimer instantly bettered the Caterham Racing’s time with a 01:30.078. James Calado then momentarily returned to the top, before Josef Kral stormed to the top of the timing sheets with a 01:29.573.

Daniël de Jong then made a mistake upon the exit of turn 7, miraculously avoiding contact with the wall and eventually rejoining the circuit. Felipe Nasr was also seen pushing the limits through turn 12, whereas a head rest was discovered on the side of the circuit. This device is predominately seen as the drivers enter and exit their cars, and is rarely seen lying on the side of the track. It is believed this particular head rest belonged to Victor Guerin, who at the time was in the pits.

As the drivers return to their paddocks, all attention naturally now turns to qualifying later in the day when the grid will be determined for tomorrow’s feature race. The grid for Sunday’s sprint race will be determined by a reversal of the top eight finishers in tomorrow’s feature race, in traditional GP2 fashion.

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