Norris Secures Pole Position
Lando Norris achieved his first pole position of the year at the Hungarian Grand Prix, though he expressed caution about securing a victory. The McLaren driver acknowledged the need for a strong race, especially after a strategic misstep in Miami earlier this season. He noted that while the team has been making progress, a single good qualifying session is not enough.
McLaren’s recent upgrade package, their first since Miami, appears to be effective. Team principal Andrea Stella described Norris’s pole as an “overachievement,” attributing it partly to McLaren’s strong execution and an underperformance from Ferrari, and potentially Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes. Norris himself felt the pace was evident throughout the weekend and that the upgrades contributed to the car’s improved speed.
Despite Ferrari being considered favourites due to their car’s cornering ability on the less power-sensitive Hungaroring track, Norris and McLaren have shown strong form. Norris’s pole position offers an opportunity to improve upon past results, particularly if he can maintain his lead over Charles Leclerc at the start of the race. McLaren, after winning two consecutive constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025 and Norris’s drivers’ championship last year, faced challenges at the start of the current regulation cycle, including a late start to car design and aerodynamic issues.
Grid Penalties for Hamilton and Antonelli
Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli received grid penalties, altering the starting order for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hamilton was given a three-place demotion from his initial second-place qualification for impeding McLaren’s Oscar Piastri during the final qualifying session. This penalty moved Hamilton to fifth on the grid.
Hamilton stated he was unaware of Piastri’s approach, receiving the warning from his team too late. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur took responsibility for the incident, acknowledging that the team’s late communication was at fault. Hamilton expressed disappointment, noting that he felt the car had the potential for pole position and that the final lap was his worst of the session.
Antonelli also received a three-place grid penalty for failing to slow down sufficiently under yellow flags after Max Verstappen’s spin. Stewards determined that while Antonelli did lift off the throttle, his speed was still higher than on his previous push lap, leading to an insufficient reduction in speed. These penalties mean Leclerc moves to second, Piastri to third, and Verstappen to fourth, with Antonelli starting seventh, behind his Mercedes teammate George Russell.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, reflected on a challenging period, mentioning three penalties in three weekends. He remains hopeful for the race, citing the team’s pace. Antonelli currently leads Hamilton by 45 points and Russell by 50 points in the Drivers’ Championship before the final race before Formula 1’s four-week summer break.
Aston Martin’s Progress
Aston Martin showed signs of improvement at the Hungaroring, with Fernando Alonso progressing beyond the first qualifying session for the first time this season. This marks a significant step forward for the team, which has faced difficulties this year. Alonso qualified 16th, a position that, while not exceptional in absolute terms, represents a notable gain in competitiveness for the team.
The team has been working on a substantial upgrade package, which Alonso believes still has more potential to unlock. He highlighted the importance of this progress for team morale, especially after a challenging period in their factories. Alonso noted that the team now has a clearer understanding of their development targets for future packages and the next year.
An upcoming Honda engine upgrade is anticipated for the next race after the summer break, further contributing to the team’s renewed faith in their development capabilities. The Hungarian Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, July 26, with the race scheduled for 2pm.
Source: bbc.co.uk
As News-GB.org's Sports Reporter, Eleanor Vance reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name on long-form athlete profiles. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Bath and completed an NCTJ diploma. Eleanor lives in Bath, where she swims competitively and follows British athletics. “A profile is only as good as the questions behind it.”