While Daniel Ricciardo, who rose through the junior categories alongside Bianchi, sported a Red Bull cap with “Forever in my heart #17” in pen written on his peak as he conducted his media duties on Thursday.
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The session re-started after the Force India was cleared away but was then halted with five minutes remaining when Kimi Raikkonen lost the front wing of his Ferrari and spread debris across the track.
In the overall standings, Hamilton leads Rosberg by 17 points, and four-time champion Sebastien Vettel of Ferrari by 59.
Hamilton changed the construction of his brakes last year – switching from Brembo discs to Carbone Industrie ahead of the German GP after a brake failure resulted in him crashing during qualifying – and Rosberg confirmed that he has also been experimenting with different components.
Lotus driver Romain Grosjean, a close friend of Bianchi’s, had “JB” and “Never Forget” engraved on his helmet.
Verbal squabblers off the track, Hamilton and Rosberg are once again expected to do exclusive battle for victory around the Hungaroring in a Mercedes vehicle now without equal in the field.
Although Force India are yet to confirm the cause of the accident, initial suggestions are that something may have broken at the right-rear of the vehicle.
The accident came only three days after drivers attended the funeral of Frenchman Jules Bianchi, who died last week in hospital of injuries sustained at the Japanese Grand Prix nine months ago.
Fears for Perez’s safety were quickly eased as he waved to fans at the Hungaroring on his walk to the medical center for a mandatory check.
Force India decided to withdraw Nico Hulkenberg from the second session as a precautionary measure.
The Mexican’s auto suffered significant damage to the bodywork, wings and floor, and repairs are ongoing.
“The team will work hard to fully understand the cause of the failure and find a resolution in order to be ready for Saturday’s free practice”, they said in a statement.
The track temperature was 59 degrees C (138 degrees F), the hottest in F1 in two years, according to Pirelli.
The two-time F1 champion needed little time to shoot up the morning leaderboard, and then went even faster, finishing.
“(Rosberg) said he felt perfectly fine on the brakes in the last race, just letting you know”, Hamilton said.
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The 30-year-old Briton leads his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg by 17 points in the title race.
