Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton overtook Max Verstappen with a superb lap in Q3 of qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix and took his first pole of the season in Saturday’s qualifying. The Red Bull driver missed out on pole for the first time in six races, with Mercedes Star leading qualifying by a slender 0.003 seconds. McLaren’s Lando Norris qualified third for Sunday’s opening grid behind Hamilton and Verstappen.
Defending two-time champion Verstappen was on a five-race streak of pole positions in qualifying. But it stopped short as the seven-time champion claimed his 104th pole in his rich legacy. With 8 minutes remaining in the final session, Norris was on provisional pole, but both Verstappen and Hamilton overtook him.
Hamilton’s first pole since 2021 Saudi Arabia
Furthermore, it was a British driver’s first pole position in the sport since the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP. He is one away from qualifying at the Abu Dhabi GP in 2021 and finishing first in the entire 2022 season. It was also Mercedes’ first pole of the year as they look to bounce back in the season.
Here is the complete Top 10 grid for Sunday’s race
McLaren had a good performance on Saturday and Oscar Piastre finished fourth behind his teammate, followed by Zhou Guanyu’s Alfa Romeo in fifth. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc once again finished outside the top five as he finished sixth behind Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso will start eighth on the grid ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg.