Hello and welcome to this Total Motorsport live blog for Qualifying at the F1 2025 Hungarian GP as we enter the final race weekend at the Hungaroring before the August summer shutdown.
Piastri fired an early warning shot in the 2025 Hungarian GP weekend, topping Free Practice 3 with a devastating lap that set the tone for what promises to be an intense qualifying session at the Hungaroring. McLaren’s rising star was joined at the top of the timesheets by teammate Lando Norris, as the pair underlined the team’s formidable pace and left the rest of the Formula 1 grid scrambling for answers ahead of the business end of the weekend.
Total-Motorsport.com’s F1 2025 Hungarian GP live updates for Qualifying will bring you real-time news, team developments, as the fight for pole position begins. Stay with us as we bring you all the latest from Budapest.
F1 Hungarian GP 2025 Qualifying LIVE: Latest Updates
Leclerc reacts to sensational pole position
Charles Leclerc might have finished Q3 as the third quickest driver behind the McLarens but few would have given him much of an chance around the Hungaroring in qualifying.
It looked as though Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were going to duel it out exclusively for pole but there’s a reason why you never count out the 27-year-old and he showed that in outstanding fashion.
So how does he feel about it?
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“Today, I don’t understand anything at Formula 1,” Leclerc told F1 TV. “Honestly, the whole qualifying has been extremely difficult. When I say extremely difficult, it’s not exaggerating.
“It was difficult for us to get to Q2, it was difficult for us to get to Q3. Q3, the conditions changed a little bit. Everything became a lot trickier, and I knew I just had to do a clean lap to target third.
“At the end of the day, it’s pole position. I definitely did not expect that. I could definitely feel it [the grip change] a lot, and I was also on the lower side of the downforce, so when the rain started in Q2, I was just hoping that it wouldn’t stay there.
“It didn’t, the conditions changed which made everything very tricky, and at the end, we are on pole position. Honestly, I have no words. It’s probably one of the best pole positions I’ve ever had. It’s the most unexpected, for sure.”
Your Top 10 at the Hungaroring as Leclerc snags pole
Charles Leclerc delivered an excellent lap to take pole at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix. Who had that in the script?
Here’s how the Top 10 finished up at the Hungaroring on Saturday, August 2:
POLE: Leclerc/Ferrari
2nd: Piastri/McLaren
3rd: Norris/McLaren
4th: Russell/Mercedes
5th: Alonso/Aston Martin
6th: Stroll/Aston Martin
7th: Bortoleto/Sauber
8th: Verstappen/Red Bull
9th: Lawson/Racing Bulls
10th: Hadjar/Racing Bulls
CHARLES LECLERC TAKES POLE POSITION FOR THE 2025 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
Charles Leclerc proves to be the man to beat the Hungaroring with an excellent lap for this first pole of the season as he manages to beat both McLaren cars with a 1:15.372 as neither Oscar Piastri nor Lando Norris are able to improve on their final runs!
The Monegasque pipped the championship leader by the slenderest of margins with a 0.026 gap to second in the narrowest of sessions that saw Lance Stroll in sixth finish just 0.126 off the top spot in Budapest.
Excellent stuff from the Ferrari driver!
Final runs due up as Alonso and Stroll post their times
Lance Stroll initially beats Oscar Piastri in the first sector but misses out in the middle and finally lands up third, with a purple third sector! That’s an excellent effort from the Canadian!
Fernando Alonso then comes through and bumps his teammate down to fourth, as he goes second-quickest overall for Aston Martin! He’s ahead of Lando Norris!
That means both McLaren cars have to make sure they bring their A-game on their final runs. Any mistake could be crucial. Likewise for George Russell in the Mercedes – what can the Brit do?
Stroll lap-time deleted
Lance Stroll loses his first lap-time for a clear breach of track limits, to be fair. He’ll have to go again and now it’s basically a one-shot quali for the Canadian.
Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, heads for an out-lap to try to see how far up the order he can get by running out of sequence to his rest, and his Aston Martin teammate has the same idea.
Let’s see how they get on.
First runs complete: Russell almost stuns McLaren
George Russell: Purple Sector 1. Purple Sector 2. Green Sector 3.
And he sadly comes up just short from an amazing lap to get ahead of the McLaren pair, with a rear snap in the middle of the final corner. That means he can still find lap time though…
Oscar Piastri currently holds provisional pole with a 1:15.398 to pip Lando Norris by 0.096, with one more lap to come for the pair. Russell’s Mercedes is 0.234 back.
GREEN FLAG: Who takes pole position for the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix?
Ten minutes. Two laps. Who will take pole position for the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix? It looks as though Oscar Piastri has the edge but can Lando Norris strike back?
Or can Lance Stroll pull off a major shock?
Find out here with Total-Motorsport.com.
Who topped Q2?
Oscar Piastri makes it two-for-two as he tops Q2 once again at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, will he be able to keep that advantage through into the final part of qualifying?
He looks to shrug off the challenge of Lando Norris and interestingly enough, his main challenge after his teammate might actually come from Aston Martin’s pair of Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso.
Who would’ve thought that?
Out in Q2: Lewis Hamilton dumped out of session
Lewis Hamilton is out of qualifying for the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, unable to find enough time at the end of the session as his old teammate, George Russell, confirms his exit.
The seven-time world champion simply did not have the pace when it mattered and he pays a heavy price for his poor driving, he’s around three tenths off Charles Leclerc and will start Sunday’s race from 13th on the grid!
OUT in Q2: Colapinto, Sainz, Hamilton, Bearman, Antonelli.
Five minutes to go: Final runs due up as Stroll goes fourth
There isn’t any further rain due and Ferrari should get a clean lap in on a set of fresh tyres at the Hungaroring, that should quite comfortably book them passage through if the drivers keep it together.
Lance Stroll goes fourth fastest and he’s 0.239 back from Lando Norris’ prior time. That might not be enough if this track rapidly evolves with these final runs.
Carlos Sainz is a bit naughty with coming into the fast lane part of the pit lane, and most of the grid opts to ignore him. Race Control haven’t noted it so far.
Nine minutes to go: Ferrari pair at risk in Hungary?
Ferrari run the used tyre but they can only go 11th and 10th, meaning both of them will be at risk when they come out to do their final laps. Have Ferrari dropped the ball strategically once again?
They’re behind both Saubers! Neither driver will be happy if the team’s tyre choice has cost them valuable points…
First runs complete: Colapinto, Antonelli, Bortoleto, Sainz and Hamilton occupy the bottom five.
12 minutes to go: Aston Martin quickest
Lance Stroll goes to the top of the timing boards briefly in those wetter conditions with a 1:15.680 before Fernando Alonso quickly clears it by around three tenths.
The rain doesn’t seem to be causing major problems right now, but that could change around soon. It’s key to be out there was the Aston Martins have showed.
Red Bull think the best conditions will come at the end, they tell Max Verstappen.
Potential rain in Hungary?
It seems as though there is rain at Turn 1, 5 and 6 in Hungary and if it continues to hit the track then these early laps are going to be critical when it comes to progression.
Rain obviously reduces grip, meaning the sooner the lap times are done, the better it’s’ going to be for those on the slick tyres. So, Mercedes waste no time sending Kimi Antonelli out there.
Could this mix up the order at the Hungaroring?
GREEN FLAG: Q2 begins in Hungary
The second phase of qualifying begins with a brief yellow flag as marshals sweep away some gravel and debris that managed to come onto the track.
We’re now underway with five fewer drivers and five fewer minutes on the clock for racers to get their best times on the board. Who will make the cut for Q3?
OUT in Q1: Albon, Hulkenberg, Ocon Gasly, and Tsunoda.
Who topped Q1?
Oscar Piastri topped Q1 for McLaren with a 1:15.211, good enough to beat Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin by a marginal 0.070 around the Hungaroring.
Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar reports Oliver Bearman for potential impeding, but with both drivers through the FIA might not bother looking into it.
OUT in Q1: Tsunoda out of qualifying
Yuki Tsunoda is just 0.163 behind the pace of Max Verstappen but that isn’t enough to book him passage through to Q2 as he finds himself knocked out of qualifying.
It’s unfortunate for the youngster on a weekend that he’s generally seemed solid, but Red Bull haven’t had pace in their car and this time it bites him when he is on the pace.
OUT in Q1: Albon, Hulkenberg, Ocon Gasly, and Tsunoda.
Three minutes to go: Aston Martin safe
Fernando Alonso moves on up to be quickest overall with an excellent lap ahead of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren, whilst Lance Stroll slots into fourth to back up his Spanish teammate.
Good stuff from the Aston Martin pair, who will be going through to Q2 without something unthinkable happening.
Five minutes to go: Who is at risk in Q1?
Oscar Piastri’s 1:15.554 leads the way but eyes aren’t really looking out for who is the quickest man in this stage of qualifying as attention switches towards the bottom five.
Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Oliver Bearman, Yuki Tsunoda and Carlos Sainz occupy the elimination spots at the moment, whilst everyone from 10th and below could find themselves in trouble at the Hungaroring.
Nine minutes to go: Mercedes arrive at the party
George Russell slots into second place behind Oscar Piastri and is just 0.073 down on the McLaren, whilst Kimi Antonelli moves into third ahead of Lando Norris.
Solid laps from the Mercedes and the same can’t be said for Red Bull, who are now down in 17th and 13th with Max Verstappen ahead of Yuki Tsunoda after their first runs at the Hungaroring.
11 minutes to go: Busy Budapest track out there now
There’s a bit more urgency in Hungary as the drivers all flood out onto the track in a bid to put up some good lap times, with Oscar Piastri at the top with a 1:15.554 ahead of Lando Norris. Business as usual for McLaren.
There’s still 11 more times to be submitted, so let’s see how this order shakes up now as some gravel comes onto the track from drivers running wide.
15 minutes to go: Cars on track at the Hungaroring
Alex Albon is the first car out onto the circuit for this qualifying session as the Williams driver heads to do his out-lap and first push-lap of the session.
Will he be able to book his passage through to Q2?
Let’s find out.
GREEN FLAG: Q1 begins in Budapest!
Will Lando Norris take pole position head of Oscar Piastri for McLaren? That question will only be answered later.
For now? It’s time for Q1. Drivers have 18 minutes to get the best time on the board, and the slowest five will be booted out of qualifying.
So fat, however, nobody is rushing out of the pits.
Can Mercedes fight back in Hungary?
Mercedes secured pole position at the Hungaroring in 2022 and 2023 but now seem as though they’re struggling for pace ahead of the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix.
However, with George Russell dubbed Mr. Saturday and Kimi Antonelli having already secured a pole for the Miami GP Sprint Race, can the Silver Arrows bank on their talented duo pulling off a shock?
It’s a tall order against the McLaren pair, but they’ll no doubt give it their all.
More success for Red Bull in Hungary
Red Bull manage to get one of their drivers on the podium at the Hungaroring as Pepe Marti wins the Sprint Race in Formula 2, the Spaniard’s third win of the season.
The result moves him up to fifth in the standings ahead of Sunday’s full feature race in Budapest. Can he go two-for-two?
He might offer the only glimpse of relief for Red Bull this weeknd as they prepare for a challenging race in Formula 1 based on practice.
Check out the FP3 highlights: Including who got it wrong
Isack Hadjar had to pick up his Red Bull after making a mistake similar to what Max Verstappen did during the race here two years ago.
The French-Algerian managed to recoup and continue on, but he won’t want to make such a mistake again…
How far up the order can he get in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix?
Can we get a sprinkle of Alonso magic today?
Aston Martin have looked quick through both Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso and could be on for one of their best results of the season if they have a smooth qualifying session.
Could we see Formula 1’s oldest driver show exactly why he was the man who managed to depose Michael Schumacher? Stay tuned with Total-Motorsport.com to find out.
Welcome to the blog!
It’s poised to be Lando Norris vs Oscar Piastri in the quest for pole position at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix based on the evidence of Free Practice 3.
And it seems as though, for the first time this weekend, the Australia’s Piastri could have the edge over his teammate – so, will the championship leader be able to convert?
Look to Charles Leclerc to offer some potential challenge, but with a 0.400 gap at the end of FP3, it’s looking as though it’s a tall order for anyone to make a dent…
Where to Watch 2025 Hungarian GP Qualifying
For fans in the United States, Qualifying from the Hungarian GP will be broadcast live on ESPN2, with streaming available via the ESPN app and ESPN+ for subscribers.
In the United Kingdom, every session from the Hungarian GP, including Qualifying, is shown live on Sky Sports F1. Australian viewers can watch Qualifying on Fox Sports 506 (via Foxtel) and stream it on Kayo Sports.
Fans in other regions can also access live coverage through F1 TV Pro where available.
What time is Qualifying at the 2025 Hungarian GP?
Qualifying at the 2025 Hungarian GP is scheduled for Saturday, August 2. The session begins at 4:00pm local time (CEST) in Budapest.
That means Qualifying at the 2025 Hungarian GP begins at 3:00pm for fans in the UK, while those in the USA can catch Qualifying at 10:00am ET and an early 7:00am PT on the West Coast. Down Under, it’s a 00:00am AEST start in the early hours of Sunday morning.
