Norris steals Hungarian GP pole from Hamilton by 12 milliseconds, both under investigation ahead of Sunday's race
Lando Norris snatched pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix with a 1:17.207, beating Lewis Hamilton by 12 thousandths of a second. Hamilton is under investigation for impeding Oscar Piastri and could face a grid penalty, while Kimi Antonelli is also under scrutiny for a possible yellow-flag infringement.
Final-lap twist
Lando Norris claimed pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix after a tense qualifying session at the Hungaroring, delivering a 1:17.207 on his final flying lap to edge Lewis Hamilton by just 12 milliseconds. The reigning world champion had been quickest in Q1, Q2, and the early phase of Q3, but it was Hamilton who held provisional pole after the first runs with a 1:17.219. Norris improved on his second push, moving from a 1:17.320 to the session-topping time, while every other driver in the top ten either failed to improve or aborted their final attempts. It is Norris's 17th career pole and McLaren's 10th in Hungary, a circuit record.
I'm really happy to be back on top. It was a very difficult qualifying, the Ferraris were very quick. I'm surprised to be ahead, they weren't my best laps.
The result ends a run of Mercedes poles this season. Norris said the team had brought updates to Budapest and that they helped, though he could not say by how much.
Hamilton facing grid drop
Hamilton's front-row celebration may be short-lived. The seven-time champion is under investigation for impeding Oscar Piastri during the closing minutes of Q3. As Piastri began his second flying lap, Hamilton was on the racing line at Turn 1 and blocked the McLaren driver, forcing Piastri to abandon the attempt. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur admitted the team communicated Piastri's approach to Hamilton too late.
We did a great job all weekend, then at the end we went out first and I don't think that was the right choice, then for some reason there was no grip. This is a track I love. The pole slipped out of my hands.
A penalty of three to five grid positions is widely expected. If it materialises, Charles Leclerc, who qualified third with a 1:17.435, would move up to join Norris on the front row. Hamilton remains winless on pole since his last one 70 races ago.
Antonelli also under scrutiny
Kimi Antonelli qualified fourth with a 1:17.479 but faces his own investigation. Max Verstappen spun at the final corner during his last attempt, triggering yellow flags in the closing sector. Antonelli was completing his lap at that moment and must now satisfy the stewards that he did not gain an advantage through the yellow-flag zone. The Mercedes driver, who leads the world championship, had earlier placed third in Q1 and was competitive throughout.
- Norris (McLaren)
- 0.207 seconds (1:17.xxx)
- Hamilton (Ferrari)
- 0.219 seconds (1:17.xxx)
- Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 0.435 seconds (1:17.xxx)
- Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 0.479 seconds (1:17.xxx)
- Piastri (McLaren)
- 0.684 seconds (1:17.xxx)
- Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 0.725 seconds (1:17.xxx)
- Russell (Mercedes)
- 0.76 seconds (1:17.xxx)
- Hadjar (Red Bull)
- 0.856 seconds (1:17.xxx)
- Lindblad (RB-Ford)
- 1.281 seconds (1:17.xxx)
- Hulkenberg (Audi)
- 1.686 seconds (1:17.xxx)
Further down the order
Piastri took fifth with a 1:17.684, furious at losing his second run. Verstappen placed sixth at 1:17.725 amid an unstable Red Bull that also sent teammate Isack Hadjar into a spin in Q2. George Russell qualified seventh but was told to stop the car immediately after crossing the line due to a power unit issue. Hadjar recovered to eighth, while Arvid Lindblad impressed with ninth for Racing Bulls-Ford and Nico Hulkenberg took Audi into Q3 in tenth. Both Aston Martins reached Q2 for the first time this season, ending a long drought for the team.
- Verstappen sets the early pace; Antonelli slots into second. Norris goes fastest as the session develops. Both Aston Martins reach Q2 for the first time this season.
- Norris continues to top the timesheets. Hadjar spins his Red Bull. Leclerc fights through on used tyres; the top ten remains tightly bunched.
- Hamilton lays down a 1:17.219 to go provisional pole. Norris posts a 1:17.320. Leclerc slots into third while Verstappen and Antonelli struggle to match the leaders.
- Norris improves to 1:17.207, snatching pole by 12 ms. Hamilton blocks Piastri at Turn 1, aborting the McLaren's lap. Verstappen spins at the final corner, triggering yellow flags.
- Hamilton placed under investigation for impeding Piastri. Antonelli referred to stewards over possible yellow-flag infringement. Russell told to stop his Mercedes immediately due to a power unit issue.
What comes next
The Hungarian Grand Prix starts at 15:00 local time on Sunday 26 July, round 11 of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship. All eyes will be on the stewards' decisions regarding Hamilton and Antonelli before the final grid is set. Ferrari had topped both Friday practice sessions but could not convert that pace into pole, leaving McLaren and Mercedes to fight at the sharp end.
