WATCH LIVE: FP1 for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Live Extra from 4am ET - MotorSportsTalk

Following an emotional week for the Formula 1 paddock in the wake of Jules Bianchi’s passing, the on-track action resumes on Friday with practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton arrives at the Hungaroring with a 17 point lead at the top of the drivers’ championship over Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg following his victory at the British Grand Prix three weeks ago.

Unfortunately for Rosberg, the Hungarian Grand Prix is one of Hamilton’s favorites. A four-time winner in Budapest, the Briton could move clear of Michael Schumacher as the most successful driver in the history of the race with a fifth win this weekend.

Hamilton will be looking to get in some early shots during the first free practice session on Friday morning at the Hungaroring as temperatures are expected to rise to 33ºC.

You can watch FP1 for the Hungarian Grand Prix live on Live Extra from 4am ET on Friday. CLICK HERE to watch via live stream.

Hamilton and Rosberg are set to renew their rivalry this weekend at the site of one of their greatest fall-outs in 2014.

Starting from pole position, Rosberg had a golden opportunity to extend his 14 point lead over Hamilton at the top of the standings after the Briton suffered a car fire in qualifying, leaving him at the back of the grid.

However, rain hit the Hungaroring and shook up the order, allowing Hamilton to move through the field and lead Rosberg in third place entering the final stint of the race.

Hamilton was ordered to let Rosberg past, but said he only would if the German could catch him. Rosberg was left frustrated in fourth at the flag, and dwelled on the matter over the summer before reacting at Spa and costing the team a sure-fire victory.

It may be far too early to speak of a repeat in Hungary, but FP1 should give us some idea of the pecking order ahead of this weekend’s race.

You can watch FP1 for the Hungarian Grand Prix live on Live Extra from 4am ET on Friday. CLICK HERE to watch via live stream.

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An IndyCar executive said there is “absolutely” disappointment that its long-awaited video game recently was delayed beyond its target date, but the series remains optimistic about the new title.

“Well, I don’t know how quick it will be, but the whole situation is important to us,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said during a news conference Monday morning to announce IndyCar’s NTT title sponsorship. “Motorsport Games has spent a lot of money, a lot of effort to create an IndyCar title. What we’ve seen of that effort, which is not completely obvious, is very reassuring.

“I think it’s going to be outstanding. That’s our shared objective, that when it is released, it’s just widely accepted. A great credit both to IndyCar racing, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, something that our fans love.”

In June 2021, IndyCar announced a new partnership with Motorsport Games to create and distribute an IndyCar video game for the PC and Xbox and PlayStation consoles in 2023.

But during an earnings call last week, Motorsport Games said the IndyCar game had been delayed to 2024 to ensure high quality.

Somewhat compounding the delay is that IndyCar’s license for iRacing expired after the end of the 2022 season because of its exclusive agreement with Motorsport Games.

That’s resulted in significant changes for IndyCar on iRacing, which had provided a high-profile way for the series to stay visible during its 2020 shutdown from the pandemic. (Players still can race an unbranded car but don’t race on current IndyCar tracks, nor can they stream).

That’s helped ratchet up the attention on having a video game outlet for IndyCar.

“I wish we had an IndyCar title 10 years ago,” said Miles, who has been working with the organization since 2013. “We’ve been close, but we’ve had these I think speed bumps.”

IndyCar is hopeful the Motorsports Game edition will be ready at the start of 2024. Miles hinted that beta versions could be unveiled to reporters ahead of the time “to begin to show the progress in a narrow way to make sure we’ve got it right, to test the progress so that we’re ready when they’re ready.”

It’s been nearly 18 years since the release of the most recent IndyCar video game for console or PC.

“(We) better get it right,” Miles said. “It’s something we’re very close to and continue to think about what it is to make sure we get it over the line in due course.”