Hungarian GP - Qualifying

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Hungarian GP

Qualifying

July 20, 2024

McLaren secures front row lockout at Hungarian GP with Lando Norris claiming pole position.

In a turbulent qualifying session at the Hungaroring, Lando Norris led his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to achieve the team's first front row lockout since 2012.

The last time McLaren accomplished this feat was at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, marking Lewis Hamilton's final race with the team.

Championship leader Max Verstappen will start from third place following a session marred by two red flags, one of which was caused by struggling Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.

Reflecting on his achievement, Norris expressed his joy: "I am very happy with the result. Qualifying was challenging with changing conditions, but finishing on top is the most rewarding. I'm especially pleased for the team, achieving a one-two is fantastic. Congratulations to everyone."

He further commented: "We've already got confidence, so it's not like we not a lot more of it or we are searching for it. I think we've come into this weekend and the last few and we're happy. We know we can do a good job and we've got a good car to fight for pole and that's exactly what we did today. It's a great job by the team and we've been improving every weekend, to end up on pole today is sweet."

Perez, who is increasingly uncertain about his future at Red Bull, crashed during Q1, guaranteeing another start at the back of the grid.

Many in the paddock now believe that McLaren has the fastest car, but the British team has missed several opportunities since Norris' victory at the Miami Grand Prix in early May.

With the front row secured and Perez starting further back, Sunday presents a prime opportunity for McLaren to return to winning form and close the gap on Red Bull in the constructors' championship. Mercedes and Ferrari may also have a shot at a podium finish.

Piastri commented afterwards: "It's cool to be here, especially when you get a result like this. I think the first one-two in qualifying for McLaren for a very long time. I'm very happy of course but I missed out by two hundredths, so you think of all the little things you could've done better. But an amazing result for the team."

Carlos Sainz secured the fourth position for Ferrari, outpacing British Grand Prix victor Lewis Hamilton, marking the end of Mercedes' streak of four consecutive pole positions at the Hungaroring.

George Russell, Hamilton's teammate, is set for a challenging Sunday afternoon after being unable to progress from Q1, seemingly due to Mercedes providing insufficient fuel for him to complete a final lap in that session.

Charles Leclerc claimed the sixth spot for Ferrari, ahead of the Aston Martin duo of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull Racing added to Perez's troubles by making it to Q3.

Tsunoda had a crash towards the end of the session, with his car briefly becoming airborne after going wide and awkwardly running over a kerb. Fortunately, he emerged unscathed from the subsequent impact with the wall.

Tsunoda's incident led to a red flag, but there was still enough time for some drivers to attempt another timed lap before the session concluded.

Max Verstappen, lacking fresh tires, chose to remain in the garage, while both McLaren and Ferrari drivers ventured out for a final attempt to improve their positions.

Following the session, the Dutchman commented: "I tried, the whole weekend we have been a little bit behind, and I think that was also the case in qualifying. I tried to make it as close as possible but unfortunately just not enough, a bit difficult to pin point why that is, I would've liked a bit more grip but it's not there at the moment.

"P3 is still very close but I just hope that for tomorrow the car is good tomorrow in the race and at least we can follow them and see what we can do there."

When questioned about the tight competition with other teams, he responded: "I love competition but I like being on top of the competition. At the moment I feel like we are chasing and having a few more difficult weekends, I don't back out of a fight but it's just a tricky situation I guess."

Despite going out just after the session clock had expired, Ricciardo will start from 10th position, presenting a great chance for him to showcase his abilities and potentially secure a return to Red Bull as Perez's replacement.

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Hungarian GP 2024 Qualifying Result

Disqualified from Q1

16. Sergio Pérez, Red Bull (1:13.326)

17. George Russell, Mercedes (1:12.000)

18. Zhou Guanyu, Sauber (1:14.292)

19. Esteban Ocon, Alpine (1:13.435)

20. Pierre Gasly, Alpine (1:12.940)

Disqualified from Q2

11. Nico Hülkenberg, Haas (1:13.978

12. Valtteri Bottas, Sauber (13.366)

13. Alexander Albon, Williams 1:12.796)

14. Logan Sargeant, Williams (1:12.736)

15. Kevin Magnussen, Haas (1:12.916)

Top 10 Qualifying from Hungarian GP 2024

1. Lando Norris, McLaren (1:12.021)

2. Oscar Piastri, McLaren (1:12.103)

3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull (1:12.00

4. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari (1:12.728)

5. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes (1:12.280)

6. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari (1:12.691)

7. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (1:12.228)

8. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (1:12.701)

9. Daniel Ricciardo, RB (1:12.178)

10. Yuki Tsunoda, RB (1:12.414)