Despite dramatic setback, the seven-time champion isn't writing off Ferrari
Jul 25, 2026 · 18:11
The qualifying session at the Hungaroring produced a dramatic finish: Lando Norris snatched pole position from a frustrated Lewis Hamilton at the very last moment. The British driver is expecting a tough day tomorrow.
Lando Norris was understandably pleased, while Lewis Hamilton, who lost pole position at the very last moment, spoke in a distinctly resigned tone after qualifying for the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix. The Hungaroring qualifying session produced an extremely exciting finish, with McLaren's British driver snatching pole position from the reigning world champion in the very last moments.
"The potential has been there in the car for a while, and it's great that the performance has finally come together," Lando Norris said. He added that while Saturday's wind direction helped them, it will be very difficult to hold onto this position over Sunday's extremely long race. Lewis Hamilton was visibly disappointed at losing pole position. He said Norris had done a great job, and that he was sorry he wasn't able to improve at the very end.
"I felt good throughout qualifying, then in the final segment we went out first, which wasn't a good call, because neither I nor Charles had the right grip. I'm expecting a tough day tomorrow, but since we were the fastest all through qualifying, we have reason to be confident," added the seven-time world champion. Ferrari's Monégasque driver, Charles Leclerc, took third place, and he said that no one - not even Mercedes, starting behind them - could be written off.
