A sensational performance in qualifying sees Lewis Hamilton first on the F1 starting grid for the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, with the Mercedes driver joined on the front row by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Hamilton pipped Verstappen by 0.003s to secure his first pole position since the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP, but it was his ninth at the Hungaroring and 104th in his career.
Despite Mercedes clearly having a car capable of first place on the starting grid, Hamilton’s teammate George Russell made a mess of qualifying and will start at the other end of the grid in 18th.
McLaren continued their good form and have Lando Norris starting third with Oscar Piastri fourth. Alfa Romeo also impressed in Budapest as Zhou Guanyu put his car fifth with Valtteri Bottas seventh.
There was little to shout about in the Ferrari garage as Charles Leclerc could only put his car between the two Alfa Romeos, while Carlos Sainz was unable to get out of Q2 and will thus start in 11th place.
Daniel Ricciardo, on his return to the F1 grid, out qualified his AlphaTauri teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
2023 Hungarian GP starting grid
| Pos. | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 3 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 5 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo |
| 6 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 7 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo |
| 8 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 9 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull |
| 10 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas |
| 11 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
| 12 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine |
| 13 | Daniel Ricciardo | AlphaTauri |
| 14 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 15 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 16 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 17 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri |
| 18 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 19 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas |
| 20 | Logan Sargeant | Williams |
