Formula 1 drama
“This pole came completely unexpectedly”
Updated on 02.08.2025 – 5:21 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The qualification on the Hungaroring is very usual for the British racing team-before the Ferrari driver interferes at the last second. There is an unexpected placement behind it.
Big surprise in qualifying at the Grand Prix of Hungary on Saturday: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc secured the pole position for the race on Sunday. The Monegasse drove the best time before the McLaren duo from Oscar Piatri and Lando Norris at the last second. There was also an unexpected placement behind it: Altstar Fernando Alonso drove fifth in Aston Martin behind Mercedes-Pilot George Russell.
“I lack the words. This pole came completely unexpectedly,” said Leclerc afterwards. For the 27th time in his career, Leclerc starts from the very front, for the first time this season.
World champion Max Verstappen did not get his problems from the training sessions under control and only qualified in the Red Bull in eight for the last Formula 1 race before the almost four-week summer break (Sunday from 3 p.m. in the live ticker at T-online).
Sauber-Pilot Nico Hülkenberg (Emmerich) did not get beyond start place 19. Lewis Hamilton also experienced another disappointment: the record world champion and Hungary record winner only reached twelve in the second Ferrari.
The Australian Piatri is 16 points ahead of the British Norris in the World Cup after 13 racing weekends, Verstappen is already 81 points behind the top as the overall press. McLaren is aiming for the 200th Grand Prix victory in its history in Hungary. Last year Piatri celebrated his premiere success in Formula 1, and another seven have been added since then.