Charles Leclerc pulled off a sensational upset to claim pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix, narrowly edging out Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris of McLaren in a dramatic and unpredictable qualifying session at the Hungaroring.
The Ferrari driver, who appeared off the pace during earlier sessions, delivered a blistering final lap to beat Piastri by just 0.026 seconds. Norris, currently third in the championship standings, followed closely — just 0.015 seconds behind his teammate.
‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’: Tom Holland Begins Filming in Glasgow — New Villains Teased
Top 10 Qualifying Results
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 🏁 Pole
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.026s
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.041s
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Yuki Tsunoda (RB)
- Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
Leclerc: “Mamma Mia… I Can’t Believe That!”
Told over the radio he had secured pole, Leclerc’s reaction said it all: “What? Mamma mia.” Visibly emotional after stepping out of his Ferrari, he reflected on the surprise result:
“I have no words. It’s probably one of the best pole positions I’ve ever had because I did not expect that. The whole qualifying was extremely difficult… It was difficult to get to Q2 and Q3. I just aimed for a clean lap, hoping for P3 — and ended up on pole. I definitely cannot believe that.”
Weather & Wind Throw a Curveball
The final session, Q3, brought a sudden shift in weather as the wind direction reversed, impacting grip levels and driver confidence.
Oscar Piastri acknowledged the conditions:
“The wind did a 180 from Q2 to Q3 — really tricky. I was surprised we couldn’t go quicker. Charles has been close all weekend, but I didn’t expect Ferrari to be ahead today.”
Lando Norris echoed similar thoughts:
“Charles did a great job — maybe risked a bit more than we did. We thought our laps were strong, but clearly they weren’t quick enough.”
Setbacks for Hamilton and Verstappen
- Lewis Hamilton had a shock exit in Q2 and will start 12th — a blow for Ferrari’s second car in a weekend where Leclerc soared.
- Max Verstappen, struggling throughout the weekend, managed only 8th place — a rare sight for the reigning world champion.
Conclusion: A Grand Prix Full of Surprises Awaits
With Leclerc on pole, McLaren’s title-contending duo right behind him, and Verstappen starting from 8th, the Hungarian Grand Prix promises high drama. As unpredictable wind and weather continue to affect performance, Sunday’s race could become a key turning point in the 2025 F1 season.