Verstappen eyes 'very weird' situation during Hungarian GP qualifying
Updated: 21:58, 02 Aug 2025
0 Comments
Kim Hoefnagel is a journalist at GPblog, specializing in Formula 1 and Formula E. With a background in communication and experience at international circuits, she delivers reliable coverage and interviews, complemented by insights from her work in the paddock and across social media.
Max Verstappen was quite surprised to see Charles Leclerc taking pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday, he told, among others, GPblog at the Hungaroring.
McLaren was seen as the hot favorite for the pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix all weekend. However, it was not Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri who secured the best starting position. That honor was reserved for Leclerc in the Ferrari.
So while the Scuderia have had a fantastic qualifying round in Hungary, the same cannot be said for Max Verstappen and Red Bull. The four-time world champion only managed a modest eighth starting spot in his RB21.
Polesitter Charles Leclerc
Verstappen too busy with own problems
ADVERTISEMENT
After qualifying, Verstappen appeared before the Dutch press, including GPblog. Asked if the Red Bull driver was surprised by Leclerc's pole position, he stated: "Yes, of course he was doing well all weekend. But to beat that McLaren..."
He continued: "I have been nearly a second behind all weekend and three-tenths in Q3. Very strange."
However, Verstappen doesn't want to worry too much about it. "I'm not engaged with that. Everyone is doing their thing. I have my own problems and that's bad enough."
Verstappen sees set-up making a difference
Verstappen was also asked how it is possible that certain Formula 1 teams perform so inconsistently. The four-time world champion offered a simple explanation.
ADVERTISEMENT
"That will also have to do with setup", he explained, immediately pointing to the situation within his own team.
"That will also be a problem for us. But yes, it's hard for me to estimate how much that changes for them. A car can of course perform better on certain circuits. I can't make more of it than that."
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on GoogleRead more about:
latest news
Austrian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 26.06.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Practice 2
03:00 PM
Saturday 27.06.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 28.06.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 26.06.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 03:00 PM
Saturday 27.06.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 28.06.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
Times are in your local timezone
Rumors
Popular on GPBlog
1
'Red Bull wants to buy out Verstappen's contract clause for millions'
1799 times read
2
Sky reporter recalls wave of massive online abuse sparked by Verstappen interview
1072 times read
3
F1 Today | 'Red Bull wants to buy out Verstappen's contract clause', Mercedes withdraws Right of Review
963 times read
4
F1 LIVE | Hamilton backed for eighth title, Wolff accused of lowballing Verstappen
658 times read
F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 156 | |
2 | FerrariFER | 115 | |
3 | MercedesMER | 106 | |
4 | FerrariFER | 75 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 73 | |
6 | McLarenMCL | 70 | |
7 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 55 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 37 | |
9 | AlpineALP | 32 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 28 |
Loading
