When the dust settled after a tense qualifying session at the Hungaroring, it was Charles Leclerc who emerged on top, putting his Ferrari on pole for the 2025 Hungarian GP. The qualifying battle had been tipped to favour the in-form McLaren duo, but Leclerc found just enough speed to beat Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in a nail-biting finish.
Leclerc’s lap of 1:15.372 in the final session flipped the script on the expected order. It was his first pole position of the season at the Budapest circuit and came at a time when Ferrari needed a morale boost after recent struggles against the McLaren squad. Piastri missed out on top spot by just 0.026s, with Norris a whisker further back in third.
“The whole Qualifying was extremely difficult. It was difficult to get to Q2 and difficult to get to Q3. Then the conditions changed, I knew I had to do a clean lap to target third, and I can’t believe it,” Leclerc said after taking pole at the 2025 Hungarian GP.
“Honestly, I have no words. It is probably one of the best pole positions I have had, as it is so unexpected.”
The result also marked a rare moment of disappointment for McLaren, who have been the pace-setters in recent months. “It’s a good lap but not quite enough,” was the immediate reaction from the team, who saw their run of poles ended in dramatic style.
Hungarian GP qualifying shakes up the grid
As qualifying unfolded, it became clear the top four teams were evenly matched on one of the calendar’s most technical tracks. George Russell put his Mercedes up to fourth, just 0.053s off pole, underlining the Silver Arrows’ improvements. The Aston Martin pair of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll capitalised on upgrades to claim fifth and sixth, their best combined showing of the season so far.
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There were surprises in the lower half of the top ten. Gabriel Bortoleto continued his strong rookie campaign for Sauber, slotting in seventh and narrowly ahead of a frustrated Max Verstappen, whose Red Bull lacked the one-lap pace that has made him a qualifying threat in previous years. Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar made it both Racing Bulls cars into Q3, demonstrating the team’s improved consistency.
Outside the top ten, several regular contenders were caught out by the evolving track conditions and traffic. Oliver Bearman (Haas), Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), and Carlos Sainz (Williams) all failed to reach Q3, with Hamilton’s difficulties at the Hungaroring continuing despite his history of success at the venue. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) and Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) were similarly unable to progress, both hampered by strategic missteps.
The elimination of both Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) in Q1 added further drama to a session already full of storylines. Esteban Ocon (Haas), Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber), and Alexander Albon (Williams) completed the list of early exits, highlighting just how competitive and unforgiving qualifying at the Hungaroring can be.
The shake-up in the grid promises a fascinating race on Sunday, especially as Leclerc will have to defend his pole against two hungry McLarens in the run to Turn 1.
Russell and the two Aston Martins will be poised to take advantage if the leading trio falter. Meanwhile, the spotlight will be on Verstappen as he looks to salvage points from eighth on the grid in a race that could have significant implications for the championship.
