Hungarian GP: Kimi Antonelli, Oscar Piastri among five drivers to miss first practice for race in Budapest

22.07.2026, 19:04 skysports.com

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli will be among five drivers to sit out first practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday.

During the season, each Formula 1 team must run a rookie in at least two practice sessions for both of their cars and the familiarity of the Hungaroring, and it not being a Sprint weekend, means five teams have taken the opportunity to fulfil their obligation.

Antonelli, who leads Lewis Hamilton by 45 points and George Russell by 50 points in the Drivers' Championship, will be replaced by Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti in Friday's first practice session.

Vesti drove Antonelli's car in first practice at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix last month, so the Italian will not miss any further practice sessions.

But, Russell has yet to hand his car over to a rookie so will miss two practice sessions during the 11 scheduled rounds following the summer break.

"I'm really excited to get back behind the wheel of the W17 and continue building my experience with the car. It's a great opportunity and one I'm looking forward to making the most of," said Vesti, who was the 2023 Formula 2 runner-up.

Reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli will make his second Friday outing of the season when he takes over Oscar Piastri's car at McLaren.

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Fornaroli, who won the F3 and F2 titles in consecutive seasons in 2024 and 2025, drove Lando Norris' car in Barcelona last month and has been linked to a Haas seat for next year.

Also in June, McLaren loaned the 21-year-old Italian out to Haas for a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) test amid speculation Fornaroli could join Haas full-time in 2027 to replace Esteban Ocon.

"At the moment we are not deciding anything. We're simply keeping the options open. We are not in a hurry, but Leo did a great job [in the test]," said Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu.

Haas' Oliver Bearman will also miss first practice in Budapest as Ryo Hirakawa gets his second outing of the season, while Paul Aron will have his third of 2026 when he drives Franco Colapinto's Alpine.

Aron was previously loaned out to Audi earlier this year for practice sessions in Barcelona and Austria.

Former IndyCar star Colton Herta will also be in action in first practice as he gets behind the wheel of Valtteri Bottas' Cadillac.

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Thursday July 232pm: Drivers' Press Conference5pm: Paddock Uncut

Friday July 248.50am: F3 Practice10am: F2 Practice12pm: Hungarian GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)*1.55pm: F3 Qualifying3pm: F2 Qualifying3.45pm: Hungarian GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)5.15pm: The F1 Show

Saturday July 259am: F3 Sprint11.15am: Hungarian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)1.10pm: F2 Sprint*2.15pm: Hungarian GP Qualifying build-up*3pm: HUNGARIAN GP QUALIFYING*5pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday July 267.35am: F3 Feature Race9.05am: Porsche Supercup10.20am: F2 Feature Race12.30pm: Hungarian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*2pm: THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX*4pm: Hungarian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*5pm: Ted's Notebook*

*Also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 heads straight to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix with every session live on Sky Sports F1 from this Friday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime