By Mark Gero
Throughout the season so far, both the McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have been on the front row for many races. But on Saturday, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc spoiled the papaya party by taking his first pole of the season for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring with a time of 1:15:372. The Australian and his British teammate finished second and third, respectively.
“The whole qualifying has been extremely difficult and when I say that I’m not exaggerating.” Stated a surprised Leclerc afterwards.
It was super difficult for us to get to Q2 and Q3, in Q3 the conditions changed a little bit and everything became a lot trickier and I knew I had to just do a clean lap to target third.
At the end of the day, it’s pole position and I definitely did not expect that.”
The Monegasque had the best time set just minutes from the end of the final session, just as both Piastri and Norris dominated the early part of qualifying.
Mercedes George Russell took an impressive fourth, but the main topic of the day were the Aston Martin’s, who after having most of the year struggling with their car, found their rhythm for the first time this season, placing Fernando Alonso in fifth and Lance Stroll sixth.
Sauber’s Gabriel Borteleto continued his impressive results and took seventh, ahead of the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, who could not find his grip all day. The two Racing Bulls continued to place in the top ten, with Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar finishing in the last two positions.
While Leclerc took the best time, his Ferrari teammate, Lewis Hamilton, was eliminated from the second round and will start the race from 12th. In addition, the Williams of Carlos Sainz and Mercedes Kimi Antonelli exited the same period.
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