Q1: dry
George Russell shocked audiences by qualifying at the Hungaroring, a track known for its narrow overtaking opportunities. The leading role was clear: pole position belongs to the driver who grasps the perfect mix of speed and restraint on this tricky circuit. Carlos Sainz pushed hard, coming close to Russell only to fall short by a slim margin. On a day when the grid felt unusually tight, two Ferraris stood ready for the challenge ahead as the lights went out.
In the mix were Lewis Hamilton and Russell, chasing the best possible time for Mercedes. The six-time world champion clocked a strong lap while his teammate hovered just behind, inching closer to the top spot. The Ferraris and the Red Bulls showed strong pace, while several midfield teams kept their options open as the session progressed. A sense of anticipation hung over the pit lanes as the session concluded with a compact top tier ready for Q2, and a number of the sport’s big names kept the day moving toward a dramatic Sunday. Several drivers faced eliminations as the clock ran dry, cutting down the field for the next round.
Q2: Alonso joined the party
The rain eased and the surface improved, letting the drivers push with confidence. The track offered genuine grip and the teams demonstrated their true pace. Max Verstappen delivered a blistering lap to set the benchmark, while Fernando Alonso reminded everyone of his enduring skill by delivering a strong performance that kept him toward the sharp end of the field. The battle for grid position intensified as the session unfolded, with Verstappen climbing near the front and the Alpine and McLaren crews locked in a tense contest for the fourth row, all while the championship leader glanced toward a potential strategic edge in the later stages.
Leclerc and Sainz returned to the track with fresh soft tires, reshuffling the order once more. The Monégasque improved the benchmark enough to challenge Verstappen, while Hamilton emerged among the leaders in a tight pack. Ocon, who tasted victory at the venue the previous year, pressed ahead in the fight for pole. Sergio Perez faced a tough moment as he was delayed by a run-in with track limits and traffic on his final attempt, leaving Red Bull short of a clean sweep in qualifying. The grid as a whole teased a tense Sunday, with Zhou, Magnussen, Stroll, and Schumacher also missing the cut in this decisive round.
Q3: Russell’s first pole
Synonymous with pressure, the final phase produced a dramatic twist. Sainz grabbed provisional pole with a precise first lap, a time that would stand for a moment as the field chased. Verstappen, despite a minor hesitation in the second corner, delivered a powerful lap that kept him in the mix, though a few tense moments hinted at potential issues back at the factory. The clock ran down and Russell delivered a flawless, spectacular lap that topped the standings, sealing the first pole for him at this venue. The German marque marked a strong return to form as Mercedes asserted itself at the front of the grid, matching the high expectations that had built up over the weekend. Sainz posted a strong second effort, while Leclerc could not quite match the pace set by his teammate, leaving him with ground to make up on race day. The result underscored Russell’s rising confidence and Mercedes’ renewed competitiveness after a challenging stretch. A memorable session closed as the leading trio looked headlong into a demanding Sunday, each keen to convert pace into points and momentum. The Hungaroring had shown its usual capacity to reward bold driving and crisp execution, signaling a compelling championship narrative as the season moves forward. reports and team briefings