BUDAPEST, Hungary — Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton will start from the pole for the first time in the last seven Formula 1 races in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver turned a lap of 1:15.419 on the legendary Hungaroring circuit and will share the front row with his teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton got the job done on his first run in Q3, setting a lap that was three tenths of a second quicker than his Red Bull rival Max Verstappen.
“It was an amazing qualifying lap, that last one,” Hamilton said. “There’s been amazing teamwork from everyone this weekend, Valtteri included. We’re just trying to push the car forwards, developing constantly and the guys back at the factory have been working flat out, leaving no stone unturned. It’s been amazing to see everyone coming together, rallying each other and pushing forwards, and I appreciate the great support I have here.”
Verstappen and his teammate, Sergio Perez will share the second row on Sunday.
“The whole weekend so far we have been a bit behind and qualifying was the same,” Verstappen said. “I went a bit backwards on my Q3 lap compared to Q2 and I just didn’t have the same grip for some reason. I don’t know if it was track or tire related but the balance was a bit off to push everywhere and around here the corners all follow really quickly so if you don’t feel good in one corner, the next one won’t be great either.”
Pierre Gasly starts fifth for Alpha Tauri with McLaren driver Lando Norris sixth.
Charles Leclerc was the leading Ferrari – his teammate Carlos Sainz having crashed out in Q2– in seventh, with Esteban Ocon outqualifying Alpine teammate Fernando Alonso by a position for the first time in six races.
Sebastian Vettel completed the top 10 in his Aston Martin.