Formula 1 arrives at the Hungaroring Circuit in Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix, the 14th round of the 2025 season, from August 1 to 3. The free practice sessions, kicking off the weekend, are critical for teams to fine-tune their cars on the 4.381 km technical track before qualifying and the race. Live broadcasts of the practices will be available on BandSports, via pay-TV, and F1TV Pro, through streaming, with Portuguese narration options. The first free practice is on Friday at 8:30 AM (Brasília time), followed by the second at 12:00 PM. On Saturday, the third practice is scheduled for 7:30 AM. The event, the last before the summer break, promises intense battles, with highlights including championship leader Oscar Piastri and Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto, aiming for more points with Sauber.
The Hungaroring, known for its challenging overtaking conditions, demands precise setups, making free practices essential for testing. Alongside F1, support categories like Formula 2 and Formula 3 will also have practices broadcast on F1TV. BandSports provides comprehensive coverage, while portals like ge.globo and Grande Prêmio offer real-time updates. Fans can enhance their experience with post-session analyses on YouTube channels like Motorsport.com.
- Where to watch F1 free practices:
- BandSports: Pay-TV with live narration.
- F1TV Pro: Streaming with onboard cameras and telemetry.
- ge.globo: Real-time text updates.
- Grande Prêmio: Live coverage with second-screen YouTube streams.
The weekend marks the final chance for adjustments before the break, with teams like McLaren and Ferrari testing critical upgrades.
Channels and platforms for free practices
The Hungarian GP 2025 free practices are accessible through multiple channels, catering to diverse audiences. BandSports, the sports channel of the Band network, covers all three sessions live on pay-TV, featuring narration by Sérgio Maurício and commentary by Reginaldo Leme and Felipe Giaffone. F1TV Pro, Formula 1’s official platform, offers an immersive experience with access to all onboard cameras, telemetry data, and Portuguese narration by Rômulo Mendonça. The subscription costs around $5.19 per month or $39.99 per year.
Websites like ge.globo and Grande Prêmio provide real-time text coverage, updating lap times and incidents. Motorsport.com, in partnership with Voz do Esporte, streams practices in a “second-screen” format on YouTube with detailed analyses. For Formula 3 practices, featuring Brazilian Rafael Câmara, F1TV is the only live video option, while Formula 2 sessions are also shown on BandSports at select times.
- Broadcast options:
- BandSports: F1 and F2 practices with nightly replays.
- F1TV Pro: All categories with Portuguese narration.
- ge.globo: Live text coverage.
- Motorsport.com: Live YouTube analyses.
Free practices are key for fans to follow teams’ initial strategies, especially on a demanding track like Hungaroring.
Free practice schedule
The Hungarian GP follows the standard F1 format, with three 60-minute free practice sessions. The first, on Friday at 8:30 AM, allows initial car setup tweaks, while the second, at 12:00 PM, focuses on testing different tire compounds. The third session, on Saturday at 7:30 AM, is the final prep before qualifying at 11:00 AM.
Support categories also feature practice sessions, with Formula 3, led by Rafael Câmara, in the spotlight. The early morning times may challenge Brazilian fans, but online coverage makes following easier. Weather forecasts indicate a moderate chance of rain, particularly on Friday, which could affect early sessions.
- Free practice schedule (Brasília time):
- Friday, August 1: Free Practice 1 (8:30 AM), Free Practice 2 (12:00 PM).
- Saturday, August 2: Free Practice 3 (7:30 AM).
- Formula 3: Free practice on Friday (4:55 AM).
- Formula 2: Free practice on Friday (6:05 AM).
The schedule was confirmed by the FIA and is covered live by platforms like F1TV and ge.globo.
Why watch the free practices?
The Hungarian GP free practices are more than warm-up sessions: they set the weekend’s pace. At Hungaroring, where overtaking is tough, practice performance signals who will shine in qualifying. Teams like McLaren, leading the Constructors’ Championship, test aerodynamic upgrades, while Ferrari, with a new rear suspension, seeks consistency after Charles Leclerc’s podium in Belgium.
For Brazilian fans, the practices offer a chance to watch Gabriel Bortoleto adapt to the technical track. The Sauber driver, who scored points in Austria and Belgium, faces a challenge in a precision-demanding circuit. In Formula 3, Rafael Câmara could take a decisive step toward the title, making practices even more relevant.
- Reasons to watch:
- Critical setup tweaks for Saturday’s qualifying.
- Bortoleto’s performance on a technical track.
- Potential Formula 3 title step for Câmara.
- Ferrari and Mercedes testing upgrades.
Live broadcasts let fans catch every detail, from lap times to tire strategies.
Weekend highlights
Beyond free practices, the Hungarian GP features a tight battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who lead the championship. Piastri, with 266 points, won in 2024 and is a favorite, but Norris, 16 points behind, aims to close the gap. Lewis Hamilton, with eight Hungaroring wins, is a key figure despite no 2025 victories.
A chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday adds unpredictability, especially in practices, where teams test wet setups. Sauber, with Bortoleto, could surprise in the midfield, while Red Bull, led by Max Verstappen, seeks to regain form after an uneven season.
- Names to watch:
- Oscar Piastri: Championship leader, 2024 winner.
- Gabriel Bortoleto: Aiming for more F1 points.
- Rafael Câmara: F3 leader, nearing title.
- Lewis Hamilton: Hungaroring’s record holder.
The weekend promises excitement, with free practices setting the tone for the crucial race.
History of broadcasts in Brazil
Formula 1 in Brazil has a rich broadcasting history, with Band as the main broadcaster since 2021. BandSports, launched in 2002, is the go-to channel for free practices and support categories, while Band, on free-to-air TV, focuses on qualifying and the race. F1TV Pro, available in Brazil since 2018, revolutionized fan access with onboard cameras and real-time data.
In 2025, coverage expanded with partnerships between portals like ge.globo and Grande Prêmio, offering live text updates and YouTube analyses. BandPlay, Band’s streaming platform, also provides free practice broadcasts for subscribers, enhancing the viewing experience.
- Evolution of coverage in Brazil:
- BandSports: Practices since 2002 with expert commentary.
- F1TV Pro: Streaming with Portuguese narration since 2018.
- BandPlay: Free access for Band subscribers.
- Portals: ge.globo and Grande Prêmio with text coverage.
The variety of platforms ensures Brazilian fans miss no moment of the Hungarian GP.