Charles Leclerc dramatically secured the Hungarian GP pole position with his final flying lap, denying McLaren what appeared to be a certain front-row lockout during qualifying at the Hungaroring. The qualifying session unfolded on a dry track under shifting weather conditions that threatened rain, but Leclerc’s late surge defied McLaren’s strong pace and reshaped the front of the grid just moments before the session ended.
Qualifying Battles Shaped by Shifting Weather and Tactical Decisions
Throughout the earlier parts of the weekend, McLaren emerged as the dominant force, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris showcasing impressive pace. Despite Aston Martin’s competitive form, McLaren appeared poised to control qualifying, especially as the track held dry conditions under hot, sunny skies. However, as qualifying began, the threat of rain influenced teams’ strategies, leading to a cautious start with few cars immediately committing to time-setting laps.
Alex Albon broke the ice by posting the session’s first benchmark time of 1:17.441 on soft tyres. Soon after, Piastri asserted McLaren’s early advantage with a 1:15.554, edging out Norris and putting pressure on rivals. Mercedes’ George Russell slotted himself close behind the McLaren duo, while Red Bull faced difficulties with Max Verstappen starting down in 13th and Yuki Tsunoda in 17th after initial runs.
The competition intensified with Fernando Alonso briefly topping times by a quarter of a second during Q1, but ultimately, Piastri finished the first session on top. Several key drivers, including Tsunoda, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Oliver Bearman, and Carlos Sainz, narrowly avoided elimination or failed to advance past Q1, with notable exits including Nico Hulkenberg and Yuki Tsunoda.
Sprinkling Rain Adds Complexity to the Mid-Session Challenge
Q2 was marked by a sprinkling of rain affecting certain parts of the track, notably Turns 1 and 5, which complicated grip levels for drivers attempting quick laps. McLaren’s strategy remained strong as Lando Norris set a quick time of 1:14.890 on used soft tyres, setting the pace and reinforcing McLaren’s status as early favorites to claim pole. Piastri, Norris’s teammate, settled for a close second, with Alonso trailing in third.
Red Bull, despite Verstappen’s initial struggle with grip described as “like driving on ice,” remained hopeful that track conditions would improve for their final flying laps, but the weather would not favor their challenge. Meanwhile, Leclerc found himself on the cusp of elimination, positioned 10th, and communicated his desire to run early in subsequent sessions to avoid traffic.
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time winner at the Hungaroring, surprisingly failed to progress beyond Q2, marking a rare exit at this venue. Other notable eliminations in Q2 included Oliver Bearman, Carlos Sainz, and Franco Colapinto, highlighting the competitive and unforgiving nature of the track.
McLaren in Command but Unable to Repel Leclerc’s Last-Lap Surge
Going into Q3, McLaren held strong favoritism for the pole with Piastri and Norris setting competitive times early in the session. George Russell of Mercedes indicated he might have gained more time through a mistake in the final corner, demonstrating the closely contested nature of qualifying. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll kept Aston Martin in the hunt for top grid positions, setting times near the leading McLarens but unable to surpass them.
Max Verstappen’s hopes of an impressive charge were fading as he struggled to find grip and improve his position, ultimately qualifying eighth. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll narrowly missed the opportunity to break into the front row, falling just a tenth shy of Piastri’s time, while Alonso was also unable to displace the McLarens on the grid’s front two rows.
Then came Leclerc’s final flying lap, a stunning 1:15.372 that instantly put him on provisional pole and ultimately secured the top spot. McLaren’s Piastri, who had aimed for their first front-row lockout in several races, was forced to settle for second, with teammate Norris just behind in third. The final lap sent a shockwave through the paddock, as Leclerc overcame his previous struggles at the Hungaroring and took pole in a last-minute twist.
Detailed Qualifying Results Showcase the Tight Contest Across All Three Sessions
The final Q3 classification saw Charles Leclerc lead the field with a time of 1:15.372 for Ferrari, followed closely by Oscar Piastri (+0.026) and Lando Norris (+0.041), both from McLaren. George Russell secured fourth place for Mercedes, just fractions behind, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll rounding out the top six. Max Verstappen managed to qualify eighth, a notably disappointing result for the Red Bull driver.
Q3 Results
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – 1:15.372
- Oscar Piastri – McLaren – +0.026
- Lando Norris – McLaren – +0.041
- George Russell – Mercedes – +0.053
- Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin – +0.109
- Lance Stroll – Aston Martin – +0.126
- Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber – +0.353
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing – +0.356
- Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls – +0.449
- Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls – +0.543
Earlier sessions confirmed the narrow margins that defined who advanced and who fell short, with Piastri dominating Q1 at 1:15.211 and Norris leading Q2 at 1:14.890. Notable names such as Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, and others exited before the final session despite their typically strong form at the track.
Rain, Strategy, and Late Laps Define a Qualifying Night Full of Drama
The Hungarian GP qualifying session emphasized the unpredictable nature of racing at the Hungaroring, where weather forecasts prompted cautious behavior early on, and driver skill combined with strategy shaped the outcome. Leclerc’s ability to summon a sublime final lap on a track he had previously struggled with is a notable turnaround that demonstrates Ferrari’s ongoing competitiveness.
For McLaren, the inability to convert a dominant performance throughout the weekend into pole position will be a source of frustration, especially as their drivers locked out the top three on the grid before Leclerc’s late effort. Meanwhile, Aston Martin showed signs of challenging the top teams, and Red Bull will need to find answers as they start further down the order than expected.
Looking ahead, this pole position for Charles Leclerc sets the stage for an interesting race, with McLaren eager to convert their qualifying speed into strong race pace, and contenders like Mercedes and Aston Martin hoping to capitalize on any opportunity in the race. The tight closing moments of qualifying underline just how finely balanced the competition remains at this stage of the Formula 1 season.
“Like driving on ice” —Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
“Any rain was set to miss the circuit” —Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
