Lando Norris landed the first pole position of his world championship defence after he beat Lewis Hamilton to top spot for the Hungarian Grand Prix by just 0.012 seconds.
Hamilton appeared on course to end a three-year run without taking pole only to be usurped by Norris in the closing moments of a thrilling qualifying session at the Hungaroring.
Hamilton had to settle for second, a place ahead of his team-mate Charles Leclerc, but he still has a strong chance of taking a record-extending ninth win at venue he has so often ruled, and slash Kimi Antonelli’s advantage at the summit of the world championship standings.
Antonelli, who holds a 45-point lead over Hamilton heading into the final round before the sport’s summer break, starts only fourth after Mercedes’ exclusive run of poles at every round so far came to a stuttering end. Antonelli’s team-mate George Russell was even further back in seventh as his title assault threatens to combust.
*Follow live updates from the Hungarian GP with The Independent *
What time is the race on Sunday?
The Hungarian Grand Prix starts at 2pm (BST) on Sunday.
Charles Leclerc after qualifying P3:
"I felt a bit off from this morning; qualifying has been quite messy, the pace was never to the level of Lewis.
“It was all about trying to maximise today and I felt like I kind of did it.”
A very disappointed Lewis Hamilton after qualifying P2:
"Congratulations to Lando, great lap. We've been doing a great job all weekend, felt solid in qualifying. We went out first, wrong call, but the grip wasn't there on the last lap for Charles and I.
“We're competitive, but I think tomorrow is going to be a hard day. We were quickest throughout qualifying; definitely my mind is elsewhere this second... at the end of this lap, I don't know if I got in the way of someone.”
He was... very downbeat... and Hamilton did impede Piastri on a flying lap. That may well be a penalty.
Lando Norris after claiming pole:
“Very happy to be back on top, tough quali! These guys [Ferrari] were very quick, but we’ve seemed quick this weekend from the upgrades. It’s a track where you certainly want to be on pole.
“I pushed it a bit more on the last lap, we did it in the end, very pleased for the team. “
On race: “I’m in the best position, these guys get good starts, I’m expecting a tough race. It’ll be interesting to see what tyre they start on.”
Top-10 in Hungary GP qualifying
-
Lando Norris (McLaren)
-
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
-
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
-
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
-
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
-
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
-
George Russell (Mercedes)
-
Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
-
Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
-
Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
Norris pole:
“Gorgeous! Well done boys and girls!”
That’s Norris’ first pole of the season!
Lando Norris snatches pole!
By 0.012 secs to Hamilton right at the end! Hamilton misses out!
It’s third for Leclerc, with Antonelli and Piastri completing the top-five.
Verstappen spun in his final corner! He will be sixth with Russell (who has stopped at turn one and is out of the car) seventh.
8-10: Hadjar, Lindblad, Hulkenberg
Final laps incoming
Can Hamilton claim his tenth pole position at Hungary - and his first for Ferrari?!
Final Q3 laps are on their way!