Racing Champion Charles Leclerc clinches pole position during the Hungarian Grand Prix Formula One event
Closing the Gap: Leclerc Secures Tightest Pole Position in Years at Hungarian GP
The Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session on Sunday was one of the closest and most dramatic in recent Formula 1 history, with Charles Leclerc securing pole position in a nail-biting finish.
Leclerc's final Q3 lap time of 1:15.372 was just enough to edge out McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, beating them by thousandths of a second. The Ferrari driver's timing was impeccable, as he found extra speed on his last flying lap to outpace the McLaren drivers despite deteriorating conditions.
Piastri, who admitted to being "dumbfounded" by Leclerc's performance, had led the session before the Ferrari driver's last-lap surge. The track conditions were challenging, with drops of rain earlier in Q2 and falling track grip as temperatures dropped and winds rose during Q3.
Other notable performances included George Russell placing fourth for Mercedes, while Aston Martin secured fifth and sixth with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll respectively. Gabriel Bortoleto achieved seventh, beating defending four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, who struggled in the session.
The change in wind between Q1 and Q3 made the drivers feel the corners completely differently, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to the session. Leclerc's pole position marks Ferrari's 10th pole position in Hungary and his 27th in his career.
Fernando Alonso, who finished fifth despite being injured, was 0.109 seconds behind Leclerc, while Norris was just 0.041 seconds behind the Ferrari driver in third. George Russell secured fourth place, 0.053 seconds behind the fastest.
The Hungarian GP qualifying session was a testament to the close competition in Formula 1 this season, with the outcome hanging in the balance until the very last second. With the race set to take place on Sunday at 14:00 (Lisbon time), fans can expect another exciting showdown at the Hungaroring.
For more information, you can check out the Formula1.com Qualifying Report and the Onboard Lap Video.
Sports enthusiasts eagerly await the thrilling auto-racing event of the Hungarian Grand Prix, where racing, grand-prix, and Formula 1 are set to collide on Sunday at 14:00 (Lisbon time). Ferocious competition was palpable during qualifying, with Charles Leclerc narrowly securing pole position against Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in a breathtaking battle that highlighted sports at its finest.
