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 remained determined to claw his way back after receiving a grid‑penalty for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The British world champion will start from the front of the grid on Sunday – his first pole since the Las Vegas showdown last November – after edging out Hamilton with a blistering final lap in the third qualifying session. Hamilton, who had been slated to join him on the front row in a Ferrari, was slapped with a three‑place drop for impeding teammate Oscar Piastri during the session.
That demotion promoted third‑fastest Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc into the second slot on the front row. Behind them, McLaren’s own Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen occupied the second row, while Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli served a three‑place penalty for exceeding the speed limit under yellow‑flag conditions. The provisional top ten looked 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 Hulkenberg – Audi McLaren have dominated the Hungarian race weekend for the past two years, sweeping a 1‑2 finish on both occasions. Yet many pundits still considered them outsiders for a third consecutive victory, given the circuit’s reputation for being technically demanding and difficult to overtake on.
The team’s most significant upgrade to the MCL40, introduced several races ago, appears to have clicked perfectly with the Hungaroring’s twisty layout, and Norris in particular has thrived. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Norris outlined the ingredients he believes are essential for success in the 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. You also have to prepare thoroughly because the competition is fierce.
Mercedes and Ferrari have shown strong race pace all season, and they’ll be hungry." He added a note of humility and curiosity about the new challenge: "We’re in new man's land. It’s the first time we’ve led the pack, so we’ll see what we can learn as the race unfolds and how we adapt. I expect a very tough race, but it’s not impossible." McLaren’s most recent victory came courtesy of Norris in Brazil eight months earlier, and the team has only managed four podiums in the first ten races of the current hybrid era.
Norris, who had shown impressive speed at Spa‑Francorchamps last week but served a ten‑place grid drop for exceeding his power‑unit allocation, remained cautious about the upcoming race. "Let’s just wait and see – it’s only qualifying.
The race is long and will be challenging, so we’ll have to stay focused," he said. "At Spa I felt I had the pace to fight for a podium, maybe even a win, even if I didn’t end up on pole. It’s nice to see that potential translate here this weekend." He praised the recent upgrades to the car, noting how the performance gains have turned into tangible results: "We introduced some solid upgrades, and seeing that potential turn into a pole position is rewarding for the whole team. It lifts morale and shows the hard work is paying off.
But you can’t rely on a single good qualifying – we need a solid race on Sunday." Hamilton, on the other hand, faced a third consecutive penalty from the stewards, turning his weekend into a battle for redemption. The Hungaroring’s narrow, twisty nature makes overtaking a rarity, yet the circuit is notorious for high tyre wear, which often forces teams into divergent strategies.
If Ferrari can translate its short‑run speed into sustained long‑run performance, Hamilton could still aim for a podium despite starting from fifth. After the penalty was confirmed, Hamilton posted a reflective Instagram message: "Sometimes you just can’t catch a break. I’ve felt great all weekend, then it all falls apart. Going from pole‑contending to P5 is extremely frustrating.
I try to stay positive – sport is about highs and lows, and it’s often decided by tiny margins. Every point matters, and you have to seize every chance. After three penalties in three weeks, staying positive is tough, but I won’t let setbacks erase the progress we’ve made.
The car feels better every day, we’ve been competitive all weekend, and we’ll keep working hard to give ourselves the best shot on Sunday. I love this track, so keep the faith and send good vibes." Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who will line up just behind his teammate George Russell, expressed optimism despite starting further back than he would have liked: "The race won’t be easy.
Overtaking will be hard, 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 championship battle remains tight.
Antonelli trails Hamilton by 45 points and Russell by 50 points in the drivers’ standings, while all three are aware that the early stages of the race – especially the first corner – could dictate the rest of the weekend. Mercedes has not seen a direct on‑track duel between its two drivers since Canada, when Russell and Antonelli almost collided on several occasions. Their rivalry will be under the microscope as they jostle for position after the lights go out in what is the final race before the summer break.
The race weekend schedule is packed: - Sunday 7:35 am – F3 Feature Race - 9:05 am – Porsche Supercup - 10:20 am – F2 Feature Race - 12:30 pm – Hungarian GP build‑up - 2:00 pm – THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX (live on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event) - 4:00 pm – Hungarian GP reaction and Chequered Flag - 5:00 pm – Ted’s Notebook Fans can stream the event via NOW, with no contract required and the option to cancel at any time. The Hungarian Grand Prix promises a blend of strategic tyre management, high‑pressure qualifying drama, and a chance for both seasoned champions and rising stars to make their mark on a circuit that rewards precision above all else.