The rain hung over the Hungaroring as a constant threat in the run-up to qualifying, but once Q1 had started it looked like it would stay dry. That was not necessarily in favor of Verstappen, who had indicated in preparation for the race weekend that a little wet could help him close the gap in speed with Ferrari. Not a single stable was there, looking at the dark clouds, reassured that it would stay dry. This was evident from the fact that almost all drivers went outside immediately, in the hope of being ahead of a potential downpour.
Ferrari had to immediately fulfill the favorite role that the Italian racing stable was assigned this weekend in Q1. Leclerc and Sainz came out a lot later than Red Bull, and had to conclude that Verstappen had started the qualifying excellently. With a time of 1.18.509 he didn’t have to worry, although Lewis Hamilton still went under with 1.18,374. Verstappen’s time turned out to be enough for P4. The Ferraris of Leclerc and Sainz finished Q1 in P8 and P3 respectively. Sebastian Vettel, among others, who barely got his car on track after a crash in the run-up to qualifying, dropped out. An annoying observation for the German, who had announced his upcoming driver’s pension a few days earlier.
Balance at Hamilton
Again it was immediately busy in the track, and Hamilton drove his laps with great confidence. The Briton missed some balance in his Mercedes earlier this weekend, but seemed to be a lot less bothered by that when it really mattered. McLaren was also in good hands, with Lando Norris opening with 1.18.121. Verstappen, however, quickly drove up that time, and how. With 1,17,703 he was the first to dive below 1.18. In the meantime, the Ferraris did not record top times: Sainz was even in the danger zone with just under five minutes to go. In the end, the Spaniard finished in P4, with Alonso, Leclerc and Verstappen ahead of him. Hamilton dropped back a bit and finished fifth. In the meantime, Leclerc was fine, because the Monegask was only a fraction behind his Dutch rival with 1.17,768.
Lewis Hamilton drove a decent qualifying, but George Russell really gave Mercedes great joy.
ANP/HH
After Q2, Verstappen unfortunately had to conclude that he does not have to count on his teammate on Sunday, as Sergio Perez dropped out. The Mexican got away well after he appeared to have crossed the track limits, a decision that was later reversed. In the end he was not fast enough for a place in the top ten, so Q3 started with one Red Bull. Mitigating circumstance was the fact that Magnussen hindered Perez a bit, but in the end it had to be concluded that ‘Checo’ had been lagging behind all weekend.
Dramatic afternoon Red Bull
Sainz opened Q3 strongly (1.17.505) and showed again that there is really no size on Ferrari during this season’s qualifying. Verstappen was initially unable to compensate for that with a large 1.18, because he braked in turn two. With Mercedes still ‘in the mix’ for a good starting spot, the reigning world champion had to push hard again, but car problems threw Red Bull’s qualifying completely into the water. Sainz meanwhile sharpened his own time with 1,17,421 and thought he would lead the field on Sunday afternoon. However, Russell just dived under (1.17,377), taking his first pole position ever.
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