Hungarian Grand Prix – Qualifying: Incredible pole position for Russell ahead of the Ferraris!

Q1:

The qualifying session starts on a dry track, all the teams rush out because the sky is very threatening, except for the Ferrari team who go out last, taking a risk of a red flag.

Magnussen is the first one to set a time ahead of Stroll, AlphaTauri and the others.

The track keeps evolving, the second stint on the tires is the best. Norris shows that he’s in the mix with a third time, only two tenths behind Verstappen.

The first round for Ferrari is not good, still fourth time for Sainz but tenth time for Leclerc. But the second round is much more convincing, propelling them to second and third positions.

Good performance also from Mercedes and Norris who seem to have pace in this qualifying session.

List of eliminated in Q1: Tsunoda, Albon, Vettel, Gasly, Latifi

Q2:
Q2:

The sky is still as threatening, but there is still no rain at the circuit. Everyone is going out on worn tires except for Red Bull, Norris, and the Alpines. Therefore, the latter are in front. Fernando Alonso, as impressive as ever, sets the second fastest time just behind Verstappen and puts eight tenths of a second on his teammate Ocon.

Sergio Perez’s time was initially invalidated because he exceeded the track limits at turn 5, but the FIA reinstated his time as they determined that he didn’t actually cross the white lines that determine the limit.

The drivers who were on worn tires on their first lap are now going out on new tires. The Ferraris are in second and fourth place, and the Mercedes are in fifth and seventh place.

While the commissioners made their decision, Perez went back out on new tires but did not improve his time and remains in ninth place. This costs him dearly as Bottas and Ocon improve their lap times, putting Perez in the danger zone, eleventh. The Mexican driver is very frustrated as this hampers him in the championship fight against Ferrari.

List of eliminated in Q2: Perez, Zhou, Magnussen, Stroll, Schumacher

Q3:

Still no rain, the Ferraris are coming out of the pits first, along with the McLarens and Alonso, followed by the Mercedes and Verstappen.

Best time by Carlos Sainz in 1’17’505, half a second ahead of Leclerc! George Russell places himself in second position ahead of Leclerc on a track that didn’t seem to suit the Mercedes.

Max Verstappen made a mistake on his first lap due to a wheel lock-up at turn 2, which consequently puts him in seventh place.

After the first attempt, Carlos Sainz is in front, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Norris, Verstappen, Ocon, Bottas, and Ricciardo.

Three minutes before the end, all the drivers go back out. Plot twist! Max Verstappen announces that he has a power issue!

Incredible! Carlos Sainz improves his time and it’s… George Russell who takes pole position! Ahead of the Ferraris, Norris confirms his excellent pace on a lap with his McLaren, followed by the Alpines, Ocon in front of Alonso, Hamilton who made a mistake, Bottas, Ricciardo, and Verstappen who couldn’t complete his final lap due to a power issue on his Red Bull.

Georges Russell and Mercedes pulled off a feat after experiencing one of their worst Fridays of the season, but with the drop in track temperatures and Verstappen’s problem, they managed to come out on top. Now, we’ll have to see their race pace tomorrow.

With their second and third place finishes, it’s time for Ferrari to make a comeback in the championship against Red Bull, who are currently in tenth and eleventh place.

Here’s how to restart the championship before the break!

Results of the Hungarian Grand Prix qualifications