Hungarian Grand Prix paddock set to be subdued as drivers return to action after Bianchi’s funeral

Two days after attending the funeral of their colleague Jules Bianchi, Formula One’s leading drivers gather again Thursday to begin preparations for this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, the 10th race of a season dominated by Mercedes and their dueling duo of defending champion Lewis Hamilton and team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Following emotional scenes in Nice, where Frenchman Bianchi was laid to rest after his death last Friday from injuries suffered in a collision with a recovery vehicle at last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, the mood in the paddock at the Hungaroring circuit, north of Hungary’s capital city, is likely to be more subdued than usual on the eve of F1’s mid-season break.

Both Briton Hamilton and German Rosberg, as well as Rosberg’s compatriot four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, were among many well-known Formula One personalities who attended Bianchi’s funeral, an occasion that marked the first death of an F1 driver as a result of a racing accident since Brazilian Ayrton Senna in 1994. Bianchi was tipped to become a Ferrari driver and enjoy an outstanding career.

Hamilton, who leads Rosberg by 17 points in this year’s title race, is in pursuit of his third title, but made clear this week he will have much more on his mind as he seeks to extend that advantage on a sun baked, tight and demanding track where he has traditionally shone in past seasons.

“Saying goodbye to Jules was incredibly hard for everyone,” he said. “For myself, I wished I had known him better. But from what I knew of him, he was a kind heart with a great spirit and a bright future...