Lando Norris joked 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 expressed determination to claw his way back after a qualifying penalty that dropped him down the grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The British world champion will start the race from the top spot on Sunday – his first pole since the Las Vegas showdown in November – after he edged out Hamilton on the final lap of Q3. Hamilton had originally been poised to join him on the front row in a Ferrari, but the stewards handed him a three‑place grid drop for impeding fellow Brit Oscar Piastri during the qualifying session.
Because of Hamilton’s sanction, third‑placed Charles Leclerc was promoted to the second row in the other Ferrari, while McLaren’s own Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen filled the remaining seats on the second row. Kimi Antonelli also received a three‑place penalty for speeding under yellow flags, which shuffled the midfield order further. The provisional grid therefore looks like this: 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 Hulkenberg – Audi McLaren have dominated the Hungarian Grand Prix in the last two editions, sweeping a 1‑2 finish on both occasions, yet many pundits still viewed them as outsiders for a third consecutive victory. The team’s most significant upgrade to the MCL40 – a package introduced a few races ago – has coincided with a surge in form on the twisty, uphill‑laden Hungaroring, a circuit that seems to suit Norris’s driving style perfectly.
When asked by Sky Sports F1 about the key ingredients for success in the 70‑lap race, Norris emphasized the usual formula: "You still need strong pace, good tyre management and a clean start – otherwise you learn on the fly." He added that the team’s preparation had been meticulous and that the competition would be fierce. "Mercedes and Ferrari have shown impressive race pace all year, and they’re always a threat," he said. "We’re in new man's land – it’s our first time at the front, so we’ll see what we can learn as we go and how we can adapt. I expect a very tough race, but it’s not impossible." McLaren’s most recent win came eight months earlier in Brazil, where Norris secured the team’s first victory of the current regulations era.
Since then, the Woking outfit has managed only four podiums in the first ten races, highlighting how hard it has been to translate strong qualifying performances into race results. Norris, who had been among the fastest on the track at Spa‑Francorchamps last week, served a ten‑place grid penalty for exceeding his power‑unit component allowance.
He remained cautious about the upcoming race, noting, "Let’s just wait and see. It’s only qualifying – there’s a long race ahead and it will be difficult, so we’ll see." Reflecting on his Spa performance, Norris said, "If we go back to Spa, I thought I had enough pace to fight for a podium, maybe even a win, based on raw speed. I didn’t get the pole, but the potential was there.
It’s nice to see that carry over to this weekend." He praised the upgrades McLaren introduced, explaining that they had turned potential into a tangible result, boosting morale across the garage. "It’s rewarding to see work paying off and the team’s atmosphere improving. I’m very pleased for everyone, but you can’t rely on a single good qualifying – I need a solid race on Sunday." Hamilton’s situation is markedly different. For the third consecutive weekend, the seven‑time world champion has been penalised by the stewards, this time for impeding Piastri.
The Hungarian circuit is notoriously difficult to overtake on due to its short straights and tight corners, but high tyre degradation often forces teams into varied strategies, giving drivers a chance to gain positions through pit‑stop timing. If Ferrari’s short‑run speed translates into strong long‑run performance, Hamilton could still fight his way onto the podium despite starting from fifth.
After the penalty was confirmed, Hamilton posted a lengthy Instagram message expressing his frustration: "Sometimes you just can’t catch a break. Another weekend where I felt great in all the sessions, then it falls apart. Going from being so close to pole to starting P5 is extremely frustrating.
I always try to stay positive – sport is about highs and lows, but it’s also about the margins. Every point counts and you have to seize every opportunity.
After three penalties in three weekends, staying positive is getting harder. Still, I won’t let setbacks erase the progress we’ve made as a team.
With the pace we have, I’m hopeful we can get something out of the race tomorrow. The car feels better and better, and we’ve been competitive all weekend. Tonight we’ll keep working hard together to give ourselves the best chance on Sunday. I love this track, so keep the faith and send good vibes for the race." Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who will start just ahead of his teammate George Russell, also commented on his own penalty and the challenges ahead.
"The race will not be easy. Overtaking is going to be difficult, and we’re starting farther back than we could have," he said. "Our long‑run pace on Friday was good, so we’ll do everything we can to fight for the win." The championship battle remains tight.
Antonelli leads Hamilton by 45 points, while Russell, starting sixth, trails Hamilton by 50 points in the drivers’ standings. All three drivers face the risk of being caught in traffic as the field converges toward Turn One on the final laps. The weekend’s 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 at 12:30 pm.
The main race kicks off at 2:00 pm, with post‑race analysis, the chequered flag ceremony, and a special segment called "Ted’s Notebook" later in the afternoon. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available via NOW for viewers without a contract.
In summary, Norris finds himself in unfamiliar territory at the front of the grid, eager to prove that McLaren’s recent upgrades can translate into a win. Hamilton, meanwhile, is determined to overcome a string of penalties and turn a disappointing start into a podium finish. The Hungaroring’s demanding layout, combined with tyre wear and limited overtaking opportunities, promises a strategic battle that could reshape the championship narrative as the sport heads into its summer break.