Hungary Grand Prix: Norris on pole, Hamilton and Antonelli face fightbacks
Norris secures pole position
Lando Norris of McLaren will start from pole position in the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking his first pole start since November in Las Vegas. Norris achieved this by surpassing Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in the final moments of Q3 with his last lap. This performance comes after a season where McLaren, despite being reigning champions, had not yet secured a victory.
Norris commented that McLaren is in “new man’s land” by leading a Grand Prix grid for the first time this year. He acknowledged the challenge but stated that beating Ferrari and Mercedes to victory in Hungary was “not impossible.” The team’s recent upgrade to the MCL40, their most significant in several races, has coincided with strong form at the Hungaroring circuit, with Norris performing particularly well.
The reigning two-time constructors’ champions, McLaren, last won a race eight months ago in Brazil, with Norris at the wheel. So far, the Woking team has achieved four podium finishes across the first 10 races of Formula 1’s new rules era. Norris, who was among the fastest drivers last week at Spa-Francorchamps, received a 10-place grid penalty there due to exceeding power-unit elements.
Norris emphasized the need for good pace, effective tire management, and a strong start in Sunday’s 70-lap race. He noted that the race pace of Mercedes and Ferrari appeared strong, and both teams have been competitive throughout the year. Despite the positive qualifying result, Norris remains cautious, stating, “It’s just qualifying. It’s a long race ahead, and it’s going to be a difficult one.”
Hamilton and Antonelli face grid penalties
Lewis Hamilton, originally slated to start alongside Norris on the front row, received a three-place penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri. This marks the third consecutive weekend that Hamilton has been penalized by the stewards, making a fight for victory a significant challenge. As a result of Hamilton’s penalty, Charles Leclerc, who qualified third fastest, was promoted to second place in the other Ferrari.
Kimi Antonelli also incurred a three-place penalty for speeding under yellow flags. This penalty places him behind his teammate George Russell, with the Mercedes pair now starting in sixth and seventh positions. McLaren’s Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen moved onto the second row of the grid following Antonelli’s penalty.
The Hungaroring circuit is known for being difficult for overtaking due to a lack of long straights. However, high tire degradation is anticipated, which could allow for varied race strategies. This factor might still provide Hamilton with an opportunity to contend for a podium finish, especially if Ferrari’s short-run pace translates into strong long-run performance.
Hamilton expressed confidence in his car, stating that the team has done a great job with continuous innovation and development. He described the car as “night and day different” from the previous year’s model, allowing them to compete at the front for wins. He also noted the close competition among the top runners, highlighting the need for perfection to secure first place.
Antonelli, who leads Hamilton by 45 points and Russell by 50 points in the Drivers’ Championship, acknowledged that the race would not be easy due to the difficulty of overtaking and his starting position further back on the grid. He mentioned that Mercedes’ long-run pace on Friday was good and that the team would be doing everything possible to fight for a win.
The Mercedes teammates, Antonelli and Russell, have not had a significant on-track battle since Canada, where they nearly collided multiple times. Their proximity on the grid for this race, the last before the summer break, will draw attention to how they manage their competition after the lights go out. The Hungarian Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, July 26, with the race starting at 2pm.
Source: formula1.com
