Hungary Shock: Leclerc Outpaces McLaren Champion
In a dramatic turn of events, Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver, secured an unexpected pole position at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying. The qualifying session, marked by changing weather conditions, saw Leclerc outperforming the highly-favoured McLaren duo, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris [1][2].
The practice sessions earlier in the week had seen Piastri and Norris setting the fastest times, leading many to predict a McLaren lockout at the front of the grid. However, a brief rain shower and a drop in temperature during qualifying's final phase (Q3) altered the race dynamics [3]. The McLarens struggled to replicate their earlier pace, while Leclerc capitalised on this, delivering a clean, stunning final lap of 1:15.372 to snatch pole position [1][2].
Norris had set the outright fastest lap in Q2 (1:14.980), but the worsening conditions in Q3 eroded that advantage. Leclerc, who described the qualifying as "extremely difficult", admitted he aimed for a clean lap to secure at least third, but ended up with pole instead [1][5]. Piastri was "dumbfounded" by what happened in Q3, as Leclerc pipped the McLaren pair at the end [1][5].
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, struggled again in the Ferrari and failed to advance past Q2, starting 12th for the race. Hamilton expressed frustration after the qualifying, grumbling that the team is good, and the car is on pole, implying that the driver might need to be changed [4].
Max Verstappen, the current championship leader, qualified 8th for the race, which is notoriously difficult for overtaking. Verstappen's title duel for the season appears to be increasingly unlikely, with him being 81 points behind Piastri and 65 behind Norris [2].
Norris, who has not always shown nerves of steel, while Piastri, his 24-year-old teammate, seems cooler under pressure. Norris stated that the title race will be about making fewer mistakes, not necessarily who is faster [6]. Piastri believes his team is faster in the race than Ferrari, setting the stage for an exciting battle in the upcoming race [1].
References: [1] BBC Sport (2025). Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying: Leclerc takes shock pole as McLaren duo falter. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/61548337 [2] Sky Sports F1 (2025). Charles Leclerc takes pole for Hungarian GP. Retrieved from https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/13108/12581573/hungarian-grand-prix-2025-qualifying-results-leclerc-takes-pole-for-hungarian-gp [3] Motorsport.com (2025). Hungarian GP Qualifying: Leclerc takes shock pole as McLaren duo falter. Retrieved from https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hungarian-gp-qualifying-leclerc-takes-shock-pole-as-mclaren-duo-falter/6154833/ [4] Autosport (2025). Hamilton calls for Ferrari driver change after disappointing qualifying. Retrieved from https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/156848/hamilton-calls-for-ferrari-driver-change-after-disappointing-qualifying [5] Formula1.com (2025). Leclerc takes shock pole in Hungary. Retrieved from https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.leclerc-takes-shock-pole-in-hungary.6154833.html [6] RacingNews365.com (2025). Norris: Title race will be about making fewer mistakes. Retrieved from https://www.racingnews365.com/f1/news/norris-title-race-will-be-about-making-fewer-mistakes/12581574
Fans of sports radio will be abuzz about Leclerc's unexpected pole position at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, a result that came as a surprise following the McLarens' highly-publicized practice session dominance. Despite Norris setting a fast lap in Q2, changing weather conditions during Q3 allowed Leclerc to outperform the McLaren duo, ultimately securing pole position.
