Reigning F1 champion Lando Norris posted the fastest time during qualifying on Saturday at the Hungaroring, claiming pole position for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
With seconds remaining in qualifying, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton appeared set to become the oldest pole-sitter in decades before Norris narrowly surpassed him. The 41-year-old seven-time champ was later hit with a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri on Turn 1 during Q3.
Here’s the incident Hamilton was penalised for 👀#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/OBspvmBdGx
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 25, 2026
Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc will now start on the front row alongside Norris.
Current championship leader Kimi Antonelli was set to start on the second row alongside Piastri but was also given a three-place gird penalty for yellow flag infringement. He’ll now start seventh.
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:17.207 |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.238 |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.477 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.012* |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.518 |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.553 |
| 7 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.272* |
| 8 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | +0.649 |
| 9 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | +1.074 |
| 10 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | +1.479 |
| 11 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | Q2 |
| 12 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | Q2 |
| 13 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | Q2 |
| 14 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | Q2 |
| 15 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | Q2 |
| 16 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | Q2 |
| 17 | Ollie Bearman | Haas | Q1 |
| 18 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | Q1 |
| 19 | Alex Albon | Williams | Q1 |
| 20 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | Q1 |
| 21 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | Q1 |
| 22 | Sergio Perez | Cadillac | Q1 |
Multiple yellow flags came out during the final session, including one for a Verstappen spin that caused Antonelli to slow in the final corner.
It’s the first pole position for Norris since winning the championship last year. The result is also the first time this season that a driver outside of Mercedes has claimed pole position.
“It’s been a while,” Norris said. “I felt confident all weekend.”
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