Hamilton denied as Norris storms to Hungarian GP pole | Full Qualifying Report

Lando Norris topped Q1 with a session-best 1:18.277, finishing almost three tenths clear of Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton ended the session fourth despite setting his time on the medium compound, with his Ferrari teammate also using the same tyre but only managing ninth.

Isack Hadjar completed the top five, while Audi impressed with Nico Hulkenberg in sixth and Gabriel Bortoleto in 10th. Aston Martin finally made it into Q2, with Fernando Alonso finally progressing in 16th, while Lance Stroll was eliminated.

The drivers knocked out in Q1 were Oliver Bearman, Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.

Norris remained the benchmark in Q2, producing an impressive 1:17.456 to go quickest once again. Ferrari locked out second and third, with Charles Leclerc edging Lewis Hamilton, although the Monegasque had to use an additional set of soft tyres compared to his teammate. There was a scare for Isack Hadjar, who spun at Turn 14 after dipping two wheels into the gravel, but managed to avoid the barriers and rejoin safely. The Frenchman recovered to secure an excellent fourth place and a spot in Q3. Oscar Piastri finished sixth, with Max Verstappen in sixth.

The drivers eliminated in Q2 were Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Gabriel Bortoleto, Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso, who can still be pleased with his qualifying after making it through the opening cut.

The opening Q3 runs saw Lewis Hamilton take provisional pole with a 1:17.219, just one tenth clear of Lando Norris and two tenths ahead of Charles Leclerc. Mercedes made a disappointing start to the session, with Kimi Antonelli only fourth and George Russell down in seventh. Red Bull also lacked pace, with Max Verstappen only sixth and Isack Hadjar eighth after the opening runs.

Neither Hamilton nor Leclerc improved on their final runs, leaving Norris as the only driver with a chance of taking pole away from his fellow Briton. The reigning world champion delivered a 1:17.207 on his final lap, finding just 12 thousandths to snatch pole position.