Lando Norris laughed that McLaren had stepped into "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 back from a qualifying sanction at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The world champion will start from fifth place after the stewards handed him a three‑grid‑spot penalty for impeding fellow Brit Oscar Piastri during the final qualifying session.
Norris, who clinched his first pole of the year with a blistering final lap in Q3, will be the first driver on the grid on Sunday, a position he has not occupied since his victory in Las Vegas last November. Hamilton had originally been set to share the front row with a Ferrari driver, but the penalty shuffled the order dramatically. Charles Leclerc, who posted the third‑fastest time, was promoted to second place alongside Norris, while McLaren's own Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen were promoted to the second row. Kimi Antonelli, who received a three‑place drop for exceeding the speed limit under yellow‑flag conditions, fell back to the third row.
The provisional top ten therefore reads: 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 event for the past two seasons, sweeping a 1‑2 finish on both occasions.
This year they arrived as outsiders for a potential three‑peat, but a series of upgrades to the MCL40 have coincided with a surge in confidence on the twisty, elevation‑filled Hungaroring. Norris, in particular, has thrived on the circuit’s demanding layout, citing improved tyre wear and a more responsive chassis as key factors. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 ahead of the race, the British driver outlined the ingredients he believes are essential for a successful 70‑lap sprint: "You need raw pace, you need to manage the tyres well, and you need a clean start – otherwise you learn the hard way on the fly." He added that the competition would be fierce: "Mercedes and Ferrari have shown very strong race pace all season, and they’ll be hungry. We’re in new man's land – it’s our first time at the front, so we’ll see what we can learn and adapt as the race unfolds.
I expect a very tough battle, but it’s not impossible." McLaren’s last victory came eight months earlier in Brazil, where Norris crossed the line first. Since the introduction of the new technical regulations, the team has managed only four podiums in the first ten races, highlighting the significance of this pole position for morale. Norris, who had been penalised ten grid places at Spa for exceeding his power‑unit allocation, remained cautious about over‑hyping the result.
"It’s just qualifying – the race is long and will be difficult. We’ll see how the car behaves over the full distance," he said. He reflected on his performance at Spa, noting that while he did not secure pole there, the pace he demonstrated suggested he could fight for a podium and even a win under the right circumstances. "The upgrades we brought to the car have turned potential into a tangible result, which is fantastic for the whole team.
It lifts the atmosphere and motivation. But one good qualifying isn’t enough – we need a solid race on Sunday." Hamilton, meanwhile, posted a lengthy Instagram message after his penalty was confirmed, expressing frustration but also resolve. "Sometimes you just can’t catch a break.
I felt great all weekend, then I go from being on the cusp of pole to starting P5 – it’s extremely frustrating. I try to stay positive; sport is about highs and lows, but the margins are thin. Every point matters, and after three penalties in three weekends it’s hard to stay upbeat.
Still, I won’t let setbacks erase the progress we’ve made as a team. The car feels better every day, we’ve been competitive all weekend, and we’ll work hard tonight to give ourselves the best chance on Sunday.
I love this track, so keep the faith and send good vibes." The Hungarian circuit is notorious for its limited overtaking opportunities due to a lack of long straights, yet it is also known for high tyre degradation, which can open strategic windows. If Ferrari’s short‑run speed translates into strong long‑run performance, Hamilton could still aim for a podium despite his starting position. The stewards’ decision adds another layer of drama to what is already the final race before the summer hiatus. Mercedes’ young driver Kimi Antonelli, who will start one place behind teammate George Russell, highlighted the challenge of navigating the pack into Turn One after a potentially chaotic start.
Antonelli, who trails Hamilton by 45 points and Russell by 50 points in the drivers’ standings, acknowledged the difficulty of the task: "The race will not be easy. Overtaking will be tough, and we’re starting further back than we could have. Our long‑run pace on Friday was solid, so we’ll do everything we can to fight for the win." The intra‑team rivalry at Mercedes has not produced a direct on‑track battle since Canada, where the pair nearly collided multiple times. This weekend will be a test of how they manage competition while also contending with the seasoned leaders from Ferrari and Red Bull.
The weekend schedule is packed: a Formula 3 Feature Race at 7:35 am, the Porsche Supercup at 9:05 am, an F2 Feature Race 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 a segment called "Ted's Notebook," will continue throughout the afternoon on Sky Sports Main Event. Fans can stream the event via NOW, which offers a contract‑free subscription that can be cancelled at any time. For the latest updates, video highlights, and expert analysis, Sky Sports encourages viewers to follow its WhatsApp channel.
The Hungarian Grand Prix promises a compelling mix of strategy, tyre management, and driver skill, with a pole‑sitting McLaren, a penalised yet determined Hamilton, and a field of hungry rivals all vying for crucial championship points before the summer break.