Ferrari's Leclerc stuns the McLarens to take pole for F1's Hungarian Grand Prix
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Charles Leclerc snatched a surprise first pole position of the year for Ferrari at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday, beating both McLarens.
Leclerc punched the air in delight as he climbed out of the car after beating Oscar Piastri by 0.026 of a second and the other McLaren of Lando Norris by .041.
Leclerc had consistently been the best of the rest behind the McLarens in practice but remained well off Piastri and Norris' pace.
That changed in qualifying, with the help of conditions which gradually got gloomier and windier, working against the McLarens. Norris and Piastri were each about half a second slower per lap in the final part of qualifying, compared to the second segment.
Still, pole came as a shock at a circuit which Leclerc had called 'by far the worst track of the season for me' on Thursday.
'What?' Leclerc exclaimed over the radio when he was told he'd qualified first.
'Honestly, I have no words. It's probably one of the best pole positions I've ever had because it's the most unexpected,' Leclerc added later.
Pole position is usually a big advantage in Hungary, where overtaking is difficult, but Norris noted the chance that rain could spring some surprises for Sunday's race.
'I have no idea how it will go, but one thing for sure is that I will do absolutely everything in order to keep that first place,' said Leclerc, who's on pole for the 27th time in F1 but doesn't have the best record converting those starts into wins. He'll be seeking his ninth F1 victory Sunday.
It was a stark contrast with yet another frustrating day for Lewis Hamilton in the other Ferrari.
Hamilton has won the Hungarian Grand Prix a record eight times but qualified 12th as the seven-time champion's troubles in his first season with Ferrari continued.
'Every time, every time,' Hamilton told the team over the radio after he qualified outside the top 10 for the second straight race.
That came after Ferrari's executive chairman John Elkann called it 'a rough season' in comments Saturday on the F1 website, and defended Ferrari's trust in team principal Fred Vasseur, whose contract extension was announced Thursday.
Ferrari hasn't won a Grand Prix since Carlos Sainz, Jr.'s victory in Mexico in October, when the Spanish driver — now at Williams — also had the Italian team's last pole.
Defending champion Max Verstappen was only eighth after struggling with the balance of his Red Bull, and his teammate Yuki Tsunoda was 16th. That piles more pressure on the Japanese driver, who hasn't scored a point in six races.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
I'm just useless, says Hamilton after team-mate's pole
Hungarian Grand Prix Venue: Hungaroring Dates: 1-3 August Race start: 14:00 BST on Sunday Coverage: Live commentary of practice and qualifying on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 with race on BBC Radio 5 Live; live text updates on BBC Sport website and app Lewis Hamilton said he was "just useless" after qualifying 12th for the Hungarian Grand Prix while his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc took pole position. Hamilton failed to progress beyond the second qualifying session after struggling for pace compared to Leclerc all weekend. Leclerc took Ferrari's first grand prix pole position of the year, although Hamilton won the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race from pole at the second event of the season. A downcast Hamilton said: "I drove terribly. It is what it is." He added: "I'm just useless," and said his lack of pace was "nothing to do with the car". In Hungary, Hamilton was 0.247secs slower than Leclerc in the second part of qualifying, in which he was knocked out and the Monegasque was sixth fastest. Hamilton is 12-5 down to Leclerc on their qualifying head-to-head this year, at an average pace difference of 0.146 seconds. His form on Saturdays in 2025 continues the struggles in qualifying Hamilton had against George Russell in his final year at Mercedes last season. Even so, his result in Hungary bucks a trend in which he has generally been much closer to Leclerc since the seventh race of the season. Belgium last weekend, in which he was knocked out in the first session in qualifying for both the sprint and the grand prix after making mistakes, had been an exception to that run. Although clearly frustrated by his own performance, Hamilton congratulated Leclerc on his pole. "It's amazing for the team that the car is capable of being on pole," the seven-time champion said, "so big congrats to Charles." Leclerc came into the weekend talking about how he had never gelled with the Hungaroring during his career, but he ends Saturday with arguably the most surprising and unexpected pole position of the year. Leclerc had been third fastest behind the McLarens in all three practice sessions, but the world champions appeared out of reach. However, a change in wind direction between the second and final parts of qualifying threw McLaren off their game and opened the door for Leclerc, who beat championship leader Oscar Piastri to pole with Lando Norris third. Leclerc said he "didn't understand" because the car felt bad throughout qualifying. But he and the McLaren drivers put the shift in competitiveness down to a change in weather conditions, when not only did the wind change direction by 180 degrees, but the strength of the wind, the temperature and humidity level all changed. "In Q3, the conditions changed for everybody," Leclerc said. "I basically just did a clean lap, which was a really good lap because those conditions were really difficult to get everything right, and I was really happy about the lap. "It is probably the most surprising pole position I have ever done, so I'm very happy." Leclerc said that revisions to the car at the last race in Belgium had helped his confidence when pushing to the limit over one qualifying lap. Ferrari introduced a new rear suspension which in addition to being aimed at allowing them to run the car lower without risking damaging the floor to the extent that car failed its post-race legality tests was also intended to improve driveability when combined with a new floor introduced three races ago in Austria. Leclerc said: "The upgrade in Spa definitely helped me to extract a little bit more. "Before Spa, I had to set up the car in a very, very extreme way early on in the season to try and extract something out of this car in qualifying. "It was making the car very, very unpredictable and very difficult whenever you go for the 0.1-0.15secs in Q3. It was extremely difficult to get it right. And if you just overstepped a little bit the limits of that previous car, then you will pay the price a lot. "Whereas with this car, you can play a little bit more with the limits, and if you go over the limits a little bit, you just don't lose as much. So the car is more predictable, which is a good thing." Spectacular Leclerc takes surprise Hungarian Grand Prix pole Verstappen says he will race with Red Bull in 2026 Andrew Benson Q&A: Send us your questions Can Leclerc beat the McLarens to win? Beating the McLarens to pole position is one thing, winning the race is another, as McLaren's race pace has been the team's strongest suit this year. Leclerc said: "There is some rain around and if it's wet it's easier to overtake but it is always better to be starting first, especially on this track." Piastri, who heads into the race 16 points ahead of Norris in the championship, described the result of qualifying as "bizarre and somewhat frustrating". But he said he was "pretty confident" he could win from second on the grid, as he did last year, when Norris was on pole. "Our pace has been good," Piastri said. "But Charles has been quick all weekend in certain sessions. So it is a very difficult track to overtake on. And yeah, it's not going to be the easiest place to try and regain the lead." Norris said: "There could be some rain, which normally makes things more interesting. But we always have, at least in the race, a bit more of an advantage. "But our main competitor over the last four or five races has been Charles, and it's been the Ferrari. So if there was anyone else going to be on pole today, it was going to be Charles. And if there's anyone that's going to make our life tough tomorrow, it's going to be the same guy. "So, yeah, we'll see. It's a long race. Things can happen and hopefully the rain can be on our side, maybe."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Lewis Hamilton suggests Ferrari now needs to replace him
Lewis Hamilton reckons Ferrari needs to 'change driver' after his early exit in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix while Formula 1 team-mate Charles Leclerc took pole. The seven-time world champion will start 12th for Sunday's contest at the Hungaroring, while Ferrari stablemate Leclerc stormed to pole with his final lap in Q3. It continues a very disappointing 2025 campaign so far for Hamilton, who is sixth in the championship and has been regularly beaten by fifth-placed Leclerc. Read Also: F1 2025 qualifying head-to-head: Hungarian GP Hamilton, who immediately reacted via team radio saying 'every time, every time', was visibly annoyed in his post-qualifying interview with Sky Sports F1 and offered very little words, which went as follows: Q: 'Hi Lewis, can I just ask you the radio message 'every time, every time', what that was about?'LH: 'Oh it's me every time.'Q: 'Yeah, so your qualifying, I know you've been upset by it before, frustrated by it before, is that what it is? Is it your qualifying, your Saturdays or?'LH: 'Yeah, useless, absolutely useless.'Q: 'Anything, any answers anywhere? This car, they're trying to get this car in a better position for you.'LH: 'The team has no problem, you've seen the car is on pole, so we probably need to change driver.' Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Hamilton then explained to print media that 'not once this weekend' did he feel he was on for a better result, despite holding a record eight victories at the Hungaroring. He still acknowledged that qualifying was 'amazing for the team' as Leclerc's pole came as a shock after championship leaders McLaren topped every session until Q3 - citing 'big progress' for Ferrari. Photos from Hungarian GP - Practice & Qualifying Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Mark Thompson / Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren and Margarida Corceiro Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Fans Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Bernie Ecclestone Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren and Lily Zneimer Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Alexander Albon, Williams Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Andrea Diodato / NurPhoto via Getty Images Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Guido De Bortoli George Russell, Mercedes Michael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Guido De Bortoli Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Guido De Bortoli Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Guido De Bortoli Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Carlos Sainz, Williams Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari with his girlfriend, Alexandra Saint Mleux Kym Illman / Getty Images Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal, Ferrari Mark Thompson - Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Franco Colapinto, Alpine Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Clive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Mark Thompson / Getty Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Beata Zawrzel / NurPhoto via Getty Images To read more articles visit our website.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Charles Leclerc Left Speechless After Hungarian GP Pole: 'Don't Understand F1'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc delivered a magical qualifying lap at the Hungarian Grand Prix and nabbed a shocking pole position. Leclerc is known for his one-lap pace, but even by his standards, what he delivered on Saturday in Hungary was amazing. The Monegasque beat out the championship leader, Oscar Piastri, by 0.026 seconds. Both Piastri and Lando Norris looked the favorites for pole position after a dominant weekend, but the Ferrari came out on top. Pole position qualifier Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Scuderia Ferrari celebrates on arrival in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 02, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. Pole position qualifier Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Scuderia Ferrari celebrates on arrival in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 02, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. Photo byAfter the session, Leclerc was left stunned at his feat. "Today, I don't understand anything at Formula 1," he said. "Honestly, the whole qualifying has been extremely difficult. "When I say extremely difficult, it's not exaggerating. It was difficult for us to get to Q2, it was difficult for us to get to Q3. "Q3, the conditions changed a little bit. Everything became a lot trickier, and I knew I just had to do a clean lap to target third. At the end of the day, it's pole position. I definitely did not expect that. "I could definitely feel it (the grip change) a lot, and I was also on the lower side of the downforce, so when the rain started in Q2, I was just hoping that it wouldn't stay there. It didn't, the conditions changed, which made everything very tricky, and at the end, we are on pole position. "Honestly, I have no words. It's probably one of the best pole positions I've ever had. It's the most unexpected, for sure." For Leclerc, the hard work starts now as he faces a monumental task of keeping both McLaren cars behind him for the entire race. The McLaren has the same flaw that all of the current cars on the grid have — they are poor when following right behind other cars. Leclerc is well aware that he needs to keep first place through the first lap. If he does so, his job gets a lot easier. "The start and Turn 1 will be key. I have no idea how it will go, but one thing for sure is that I'll do absolutely everything in order to keep that first place," he added. "If we manage to do that, that should make our life easier for the rest of the race." Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying Results
