Championship front‑runner Kimi Antonelli will be one of five drivers who sit out the opening practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday. Under the current Formula 1 regulations each team must field a rookie driver for at least two practice runs during the season, and the nature of the Hungaroring – a track where the teams already have a solid amount of data – combined with the fact that the weekend is not a Sprint format, gave five outfits the chance to meet that requirement without compromising their competitive programme. Antonelli, who currently enjoys a 45‑point lead over Lewis Hamilton and a 50‑point cushion ahead of George Russell in the Drivers' Championship, will hand his Mercedes‑W17 to the team’s reserve driver, Frederik Vesti, for the Friday morning session. Vesti is no stranger to the car; he piloted Antonelli’s machine during the first practice at the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix last month, so the Italian’s absence is limited to this single session and he will be back behind the wheel for the remaining practice periods, qualifying and the race itself.
The move is part of the broader rookie‑driver programme that the sport introduced to give emerging talent exposure to the top‑level machinery. While Antonelli benefits from the extra seat time, other teams are also making the most of the rule. Reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli will take over Oscar Piastri’s McLaren for his second Friday outing of the season, continuing his rapid progression after winning the F3 title in 2024 and the F2 crown in 2025. Fornaroli’s performance in Barcelona, where he drove Lando Norris’s car, has sparked speculation that he could secure a full‑time seat with Haas for the 2027 campaign, potentially replacing Esteban Ocon.
In June, McLaren loaned the 21‑year‑old Italian to Haas for a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session, further feeding the rumor mill. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu cautioned that no final decision has been made, but praised Fornaroli’s work, saying, "We are keeping our options open and Leo did a great job in the test." George Russell, who still has not handed his car over to a rookie, will miss two practice sessions later in the season after the summer break, as his team waits for a suitable opportunity to satisfy the rookie‑participation rule. Other rookie appearances at the Hungarian weekend include Oliver Bearman, who will sit out the first practice in Budapest while Ryo Hirakawa takes his place for a second season outing. Paul Aron will make his third 2026 practice appearance, this time driving Franco Colapinto’s Alpine, after previously being loaned to Audi for sessions in Barcelona and Austria.
Former IndyCar competitor Colton Herta will also be on track, piloting Valtteri Bottas’s Cadillac in the opening practice. Frederik Vesti, the 2023 Formula 2 runner‑up, expressed enthusiasm about the chance to get back in the W17, stating, "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." The Hungarian Grand Prix programme is packed with action across the support categories. The schedule begins on Thursday, July 23, with a drivers’ press conference at 2 pm followed by the Paddock Uncut at 5 pm.
Friday’s agenda includes F3 practice at 8.50 am, F2 practice at 10 am, and the first F1 practice session at 12 pm (the official start time is 12.30 pm). Qualifying sessions for F3 and F2 follow, and the second F1 practice kicks off at 3.45 pm.
The day wraps up with the F1 Show at 5 pm. Saturday, July 25, sees the F3 sprint at 9 am, the third F1 practice at 11.15 am, the F2 sprint at 1.10 pm, and the build‑up to qualifying at 2.15 pm. The Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying itself runs from 3 pm to 5 pm, after which Ted’s Qualifying Notebook provides analysis.
Sunday’s Sunday, July 26, features the F3 feature race at 7.35 am, the Porsche Supercup at 9.05 am, the F2 feature race at 10.20 am, and the build‑up to the Grand Prix at 12.30 pm. The main event – the Hungarian Grand Prix – starts at 2 pm, followed by a post‑race reaction segment at 4 pm and Ted’s Notebook at 5 pm.
All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and viewers can stream the coverage via the NOW platform without a long‑term contract. Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for real‑time updates, video highlights, in‑depth analysis and exclusive features throughout the weekend. The Hungarian Grand Prix promises a blend of seasoned champions and hungry newcomers, offering a compelling showcase of both experience and emerging talent on the historic Budapest circuit.