United States Grand Prix · Debrief
Freddie Slater Leads Budapest Formula 3 Practice After Red-Flag Interrupted Session
Freddie Slater topped a red-flag interrupted Budapest Formula 3 Practice session, leading Brando Badoer and Pedro Clerot ahead of Qualifying.
Slater sets the benchmark in Budapest
Freddie Slater ended Formula 3 Practice at the top of the timesheets after setting a 1:33.947 for TRIDENT. The result gave him a margin of more than a tenth over Brando Badoer, while Rodin Motorsport’s Pedro Clerot completed the top three.
The session began with Woohyun Shin first onto the circuit. The driver recorded a 1:36.472, but the lap was deleted after he exceeded track limits at Turn 9. Ten minutes in, the majority of the field had ventured out, with the exception of Rodin Motorsport’s three cars.
Ugo Ugochukwu then moved to the front with a 1:34.798, edging title rival Slater by just 0.052 seconds. Rodin’s drivers joined the action with 26 minutes remaining, although Matteo De Palo soon returned to the pitlane with damage after running wide at the exit of Turn 7.
The interruptions continued when Salim Hanna found the barrier at Turn 5, prompting the first Red Flag period. The session resumed with 12 minutes remaining, and Ugochukwu immediately reclaimed the benchmark with a 1:34.522. Slater was second, 0.180s adrift.
Slater responds as late drama continues
Hitech’s Jin Nakamura briefly took control on the following lap, lowering the leading time to 1:34.360. Slater responded decisively, producing his 1:33.947 to return to P1 and move 0.135s clear of Badoer.
TRIDENT’s session then suffered another setback when Noah Stromsted stopped on the run to Turn 12. The incident brought out the Red Flags once again and ended the session, leaving Slater at the head of the order for a fourth consecutive Practice session.
Badoer finished second ahead of Clerot, with Nakamura fourth. Théophile Nael and Enzo Deligny followed, while Nicola Lacorte took seventh ahead of Ugochukwu. Mattia Colnaghi was ninth and Maciej Gladysz completed the top 10.
For the full Budapest weekend timetable, including the next Formula 3 sessions, see our Formula 3 Round 7 session guide.
Qualifying is next, with the drivers due back on track at 15:00 local time.