Lando Norris laughed that McLaren had entered "new man's land" as he prepared to line up on pole for the first time this season, while Lewis Hamilton remained determined to claw his way back after a qualifying penalty at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The British world champion will start the race from the front of the grid on Sunday – his first pole since the Las Vegas showdown last November – after edging out Hamilton on the final lap of the third qualifying session. Hamilton, who was originally slated to occupy the other front‑row slot alongside his Ferrari teammate, was handed a three‑place grid drop for impeding Oscar Piastri during his flying lap.
Because of Hamilton’s sanction, third‑placed Charles Leclerc was promoted to the second Ferrari position on the front row. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen filled the second row, while Kimi Antonelli served a three‑place penalty for exceeding the speed limit under yellow‑flag conditions. The provisional top ten therefore reads as follows: 1.
Lando Norris – McLaren 2. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari 3.
Oscar Piastri – McLaren 4. Max Verstappen – Red Bull 5. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari 6. George Russell – Mercedes 7.
Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes 8. Isack Hadjar – Red Bull 9. Arvid Lindblad – Racing Bulls 10. Nico Hülkenberg – Audi McLaren have dominated the Hungarian event for the past two seasons, sweeping a one‑two finish on each occasion.
Yet this year many pundits considered them outsiders for a third consecutive victory, given the fierce competition and the circuit’s reputation for being hard on overtaking. The team’s most significant upgrade to the MCL‑40, introduced a few races ago, appears to have clicked perfectly with the twisty, high‑downforce layout of the Hungaroring, and Norris in particular has thrived.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 about the 70‑lap showdown, Norris outlined what he believes will be essential for success: "You still need raw pace, solid tyre management and a clean start – otherwise you learn on the fly. You have to be well prepared and the competition is fierce. Mercedes and Ferrari have shown excellent race pace all year, and they’ll be tough to beat." He added a note of humility, noting that the team was venturing into unfamiliar territory: "We’re in new man’s land.
It’s the first time we’ve started at the front, so we’ll see what we can learn as the race unfolds and how quickly we can adapt. I expect a very tough race, but it’s certainly not impossible." McLaren’s most recent victory came eight months ago when Norris won in Brazil, and the Woking outfit has only managed four podiums in the first ten races of the current hybrid era.
Despite that modest record, Norris remains cautious after a strong showing at Spa‑Francorchamps last weekend, where he was hampered by a ten‑place grid penalty for exceeding his power‑unit allocation. "Let’s just wait and see," he said. "Qualifying is only the start – we have a long race ahead and it will be difficult, but we’ll find out how the car performs." Reflecting on his Spa performance, Norris noted, "If we look back at Spa, I felt I had the pace to fight for a podium, maybe even a win, if things had gone differently.
That potential has carried over to this weekend." He praised the recent upgrades, saying, "We brought some good upgrades, and that potential has turned into a result, which is fantastic for the whole team. It boosts motivation and the atmosphere. It’s rewarding to see the work we put in paying off. But you can’t rely on a single strong qualifying – I need a solid race on Sunday." Hamilton’s situation is more precarious.
For the third consecutive weekend, the seven‑time world champion has been penalised by the stewards, this time for impeding a rival. The Hungaroring’s tight, twisty configuration makes overtaking a premium, but high tyre wear often forces teams into divergent strategies, offering Hamilton a chance to recover at least a podium if Ferrari’s short‑run speed translates into sustained long‑run performance.
After the penalty was confirmed, Hamilton posted an extensive Instagram message: "Sometimes you just can’t catch a break. I’ve felt great all weekend, then it falls apart. Going from pole‑hunt to a P5 start is extremely frustrating. I always try to stay positive – sport is about highs and lows, and the margins are thin.
Every point matters and you have to seize every opportunity. After three penalties in three weeks, staying positive is tough, but I won’t let setbacks erase the progress we’ve made as a team. With the pace we have, I’m hopeful we can salvage something tomorrow.
The car feels better and better, we’ve been competitive all weekend. Tonight we’ll keep working hard to give ourselves the best chance on Sunday.
I love this track, so keep the faith and send good vibes." Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli will start one place behind his teammate George Russell, with the pair occupying sixth and seventh on the grid. Antonelli, who leads Hamilton by 45 points in the drivers’ standings and Russell by 50, knows the race will be a test of tyre management and race‑craft, especially into the first turn where the pack often bunches.
The Mercedes duo have not engaged in a direct on‑track battle since the Canadian Grand Prix, where they nearly collided on several occasions. Their rivalry will be under the microscope as they line up for the final race before the summer break. Antonelli commented, "The race won’t be easy. Overtaking will be difficult and we’re starting further back than we could have.
Our long‑run pace on Friday was good, so we’ll do everything we can to fight for the win." The weekend schedule is packed: a Formula 3 feature race at 7:35 am, the Porsche Supercup at 9:05 am, the Formula 2 feature at 10:20 am, followed by the Hungarian Grand Prix build‑up from 12:30 pm and the race itself at 2:00 pm. Post‑race analysis, including the chequered‑flag reaction and Ted’s Notebook, will air later in the afternoon on Sky Sports Main Event. Fans can stream the action live via NOW, without a contract and with the option to cancel at any time. The Hungarian Grand Prix promises drama, strategy and a battle for points that could reshape the championship narrative as the season heads into its mid‑year pivot.