Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took a surprise F1 pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix – as team-mate Lewis Hamilton could manage only 12th.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri and title rival Lando Norris had been expected to fight for pole but the McLaren men were left to settle for second and third respectively.
Leclerc saw off Piastri by just 0.026 seconds with Norris only 0.015 sec behind the Australian. George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes.
McLaren had dominated all weekend at the Hungaroring with Norris fastest in both sessions on Friday, and Piastri – who leads his team-mate by 16 points in the world championship – quickest in the concluding running prior to qualifying. But Leclerc pulled a mighty lap out of the bag to secure both his and Ferrari’s first pole of the season.
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F1 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- The race on Sunday starts at 2pm (BST)
- Charles Leclerc starts on pole in Hungary; Piastri 2nd; Norris 3rd
- Click HERE for the full starting grid
- Lewis Hamilton appalled at his F1 qualifying display in Hungary: ‘I’m useless’
Hungarian GP start time:
Saturday 2 August 2025 16:07
,
Kieran Jackson
The race on Sunday in Budapest starts at 2pm (BST).
Fernando Alonso after qualifying P5:
13:12
,
Kieran Jackson
“The car is much better this weekend. In Spa we were 19th and 20th, now fifth and sixth. This layout is better for our package, we need to maximise these weekends.
“This is down to the team and effort everyone’s doing. The front-wing is giving us that extra load in the corners, I think we are trying to understand all the tools.
“The car is better than my back!”
PREVIEW: F1’s return to Hungary serves as reminder of McLaren quarrel on the horizon
13:07
,
Kieran Jackson
The Hungaroring, Budapest. Twelve months ago, as it became apparent that McLaren’s 2024 mid-season renaissance was more than just a temporary spike on the performance graph, this is where the first banging of heads occurred between the papaya drivers out on track. Two drivers desperate for victory, which made a quarrel, with neither defined as team No 1, quite the inevitability.
Eventually, Oscar Piastri claimed his first F1 race victory and almost looked embarrassed to celebrate. It only came after Lando Norrisreluctantly conceded the lead, as his engineer Will Joseph pleaded with the Brit to follow team orders.
“I know you’ll do the right thing,” Joseph told his driver. “Just remember every single Sunday morning meeting we have… I’m trying to protect you, mate… please do it now.” Eventually, the series of orders – teetering on the edge of successive guilt trips – triggered the most reluctant of acquiesces from Norris.
QUALIFYING REPORT: Charles Leclerc stuns McLaren with shock pole position for Ferrari in Hungary
13:04
,
Kieran Jackson
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took a surprise pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix – as team-mate Lewis Hamilton could manage only 12th.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri and title rival Lando Norris had been expected to fight for pole but the McLaren men were left to settle for second and third respectively.
Leclerc saw off Piastri by just 0.026 seconds with Norris only 0.015 sec behind the Australian. George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes.
Full report below:
Turkey joins host of countries eyeing F1 race – and could step-in as soon as 2026
12:55
,
Chris Wilson
Turkey is looking to claim a permanent spot back on the F1 calendar and has offered the services of Istanbul Park for 2026 should any country be unable to host their race.
The Turkish Grand Prix first appeared on the sport’s calendar in 2005 for seven iterations, before it was dropped in 2011. However, the race at the popular Istanbul circuit returned in the Covid-hit years of 2020 and 2021.
However, the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) have made it known their desire to host a race again. While the 24-race 2026 calendar has already been published, Istanbul could step in if any race – such as the new street track in Madrid, with the race scheduled in September 2026 – is not ready in time.
Ferrari F1 boss Fred Vasseur signs new contract despite winless run
12:51
,
Chris Wilson
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has signed a new long-term contract despite the team’s winless run in Formula 1 this season.
Indeed, the last grand prix won by the Scuderia came in Mexico City last year when Carlos Sainz finished top of the podium, before he was replaced with Lewis Hamilton for the current campaign.
Neither Hamilton nor teammate Charles Leclerc has secured a win in 2025 and both have struggled to exert the maximum performance out of their cars.
A reminder of the starting grid today in Hungary:
12:45
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Lando Norris
4. George Russell
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Lance Stroll
7. Gabriel Bortoleto
8. Max Verstappen
9. Liam Lawson
10. Isack Hadjar
11. Ollie Bearman
12. Lewis Hamilton
13. Carlos Sainz
14. Franco Colapinto
15. Kimi Antonelli
16. Yuki Tsunoda
17. Pierre Gasly
18. Esteban Ocon
19. Nico Hulkenberg
20. Alex Albon
Red Bull adviser reveals ‘primary’ reason Christian Horner was sacked
12:42
,
Chris Wilson
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has revealed that Christian Horner was primarily dismissed from his role as team principal due to performance reasons.
Horner was relieved of his duties as Red Bull F1 CEO and team principal three weeks ago after 20 years at the helm.
It brought to an end a tumultuous 18 months for the team, with a divide forming within the management structure despite Max Verstappen claiming his fourth world championship last year.
Lewis Hamilton thinks about podium drought 'every day'
12:36
,
Jack Rathborn
Lewis Hamilton admits he thinks about the longest run of his career without a grand prix podium, currently at 15 races, “every day”.
Hamilton joked that the poor run does not bother, initially stating "no", but then admitted the lack of success aggravates him.
"Of course it does," he added. "I think about it every day."
F1 constructor standings
12:02
,
Chris Wilson
1. McLaren - 516 points
2. Ferrari - 248 points
3. Mercedes - 220 points
4. Red Bull - 192 points
5. Williams - 70 points
6. Sauber - 43 points
7. Racing Bulls - 41 points
8. Aston Martin - 36 points
9. Haas - 35 points
10. Alpine - 20 points
Gabriel Bortoleto after qualifying P7:
11:30
,
Kieran Jackson
“I’m incredibly happy with how qualifying unfolded today. After a challenging start to the weekend where we lacked pace and confidence in the car, we worked hard to address the issues causing that and made strong progress.
“Securing a spot in Q3 and finishing P7 - my best result so far in Formula 1 - is a great milestone for both the team and me. It’s been a season of learning, as expected in a rookie year. Every session is a chance to grow, and I couldn’t do it without the amazing team around me.
“They push me, support me, and we’re making steps forward together. Now the focus is on converting this into a strong result in the race.”
F1 driver standings
11:00
,
Chris Wilson
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 266 points
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 185 points
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 157 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 139 points
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 63 points
8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 54 points
9. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 37 points
10. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 27 points
12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 22 points
12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 20 points
13. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 20 points
14. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 16 points
15. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 16 points
16. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 16 points
17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 10 points
19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 6 points
20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points
21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points
Charles Leclerc offers take on future Ferrari role after Lewis Hamilton provides team ‘documents’
10:00
,
Jack Rathborn
Charles Leclerc has rejected suggestions he could be frozen out by Ferrari as Lewis Hamilton pushes for big improvements next year by delivering “documents” to the team to inform them on where to improve next season.
“I’m not creating documents on my side, but I’m definitely having meetings whenever I’m back in Maranello with the team in order to know what is the next thing we want to tackle as a team,” Leclerc said.
“But this has always been [the case], I think. Every single driver has their way of feeding back the team from what they think is right.
“I have my way, which is a different way compared to Lewis, but that doesn’t mean I’m left out and I’m definitely involved in the process.”
Lando Norris who qualifies P3:
09:00
,
Kieran Jackson
“Charles did a good job on the last lap, probably risked more. The wind punished us in a bigger way. No complaints, we thought we did some good laps but didn’t go quicker.
“It’s not an easy lap to put things together.
“I want to win, it will be an exciting race. I’d expect us to have more pace than Charles.”
Won’t matter once we’re all dead – Lando Norris plays down F1 title battle
07:00
,
Chris Wilson
Lando Norris said it does not matter if he fails to beat Oscar Piastri to the world championship because “in 200 years we will all be dead”.
Norris arrives for the concluding round before Formula One’s three-week summer shutdown 16 points behind McLaren team-mate Piastri in the standings.
The title momentum swung back in Piastri’s favour at last weekend’s rain-hit round in Belgium. Norris started on pole position but allowed Piastri to swoop past in the treacherous conditions.
Lewis Hamilton says 'there will be tears' during F1 summer break
06:00
,
Jack Rathborn
"The last god knows how many seasons have been hard in their own way. This one has definitely been the most intense one, I would say, just from a work perspective,” Hamilton said.
"Integrating into a new culture and into a new team. It's not gone smoothly in all areas, and it's been a real battle.
"I definitely need to get away and recharge, be around the kids, laugh, let go. I'm sure there'll be some tears at some point and I think that's really healthy."
George Russell admits to risk of Mercedes exit
04:00
,
Chris Wilson
George Russell’s wait for his Formula One future to be confirmed is set to extend until at least next month’s summer break, despite the confirmation that Max Verstappen will stay at Red Bull.
Russell said that “maybe the interests were not aligned for some time” between himself and the team, adding that “my whole career, until last year, the team have supported me so much and given me such amazing opportunities”.
“"I still trust in the team that they will always support me as long as I'm performing, so that's what I need to focus on," he added.
“But of course, these past months have not been the most assuring for our future, and that's just been a bit conflicting."
Nevertheless, reports suggest that Russell is closing in on a new deal that would run until 2027.
Here are the Drivers’ Championship standings ahead of the race:
Saturday 2 August 2025 23:00
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 266 points
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 185 points
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 157 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 139 points
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 63 points
8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 54 points
9. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 37 points
10. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 27 points
12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 22 points
12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 20 points
13. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 20 points
14. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 16 points
15. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 16 points
16. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 16 points
17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 10 points
19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 6 points
20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points
21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points
Max Verstappen commits future to Red Bull for 2026 F1 season
Saturday 2 August 2025 22:00
,
Jack Rathborn
Max Verstappen has ended speculation over his short-term future by insisting he will stay at Red Bull for the 2026 F1 season.
Four-time F1 world champion Verstappen, who has a £50m-a-deal until the end of the 2028 season, has been strongly linked with Mercedes in recent months ahead of a new set of F1 regulations next year, with the Silver Arrows the rumoured frontrunners. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has previously declared his interest in signing one of the sport’s generational talents.
Verstappen has also only won two races this year in a car which is the fourth-quickest on the grid and, as detailed by The Independent on Tuesday, the Dutchman has an exit clause allowing him to leave if he is lower than third in the drivers’ standings by the summer break.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella:
Saturday 2 August 2025 19:59
,
Kieran Jackson
“Today’s Qualifying was an interesting session. We saw competitive, good lap times from both Oscar and Lando in Q1 and Q2. While the performance of the car looked like we were in a strong position to challenge for Pole, the variable conditions with a change of wind and a drop in temperature meant that we couldn't replicate that pace in Q3.
“Well done to Ferrari and Charles Leclerc for adapting to the changing conditions and managing to go a little bit faster in Q3, securing Pole position. We now have a bit more work to do than anticipated in tomorrow’s race, but we can be confident in the challenge ahead as the car's race pace is competitive."
Carlos Sainz after qualifying 13th:
Saturday 2 August 2025 18:47
,
Kieran Jackson
“After our struggles all weekend, I’ll take P13 today although it’s not ideal. We found some grip and put good laps in when it mattered, but it hurts to see we were less than a tenth from Q3.
“The lap was good, but a bit of traffic and dirty air in sector two probably cost us that extra bit. Anyways, I prefer to keep the positives from today and fully focus on tomorrow.
“There might be surprises with the weather, so we need to make sure we are ready to take any opportunity.”
George Russell, who qualified P4:
Saturday 2 August 2025 17:59
,
Kieran Jackson
“Mixed feelings. I’m kicking myself, we were the team who lose the least amount of time in the wind. I’m trying to see the positives of it but a small missed opportunity.”
Full starting grid in Hungary:
Saturday 2 August 2025 17:31
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Lando Norris
4. George Russell
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Lance Stroll
7. Gabriel Bortoleto
8. Max Verstappen
9. Liam Lawson
10. Isack Hadjar
11. Ollie Bearman
12. Lewis Hamilton
13. Carlos Sainz
14. Franco Colapinto
15. Kimi Antonelli
16. Yuki Tsunoda
17. Pierre Gasly
18. Esteban Ocon
19. Nico Hulkenberg
20. Alex Albon
Oscar Piastri after qualifying P2:
Saturday 2 August 2025 16:33
,
Kieran Jackson
“The wind changed a lot, always sounds so pathetic, just meant a lot of the corners felt a little different.
“Difficult to judge in those conditions, bit surprised we couldn’t go quicker.
“It’ll be a fun race with a few more involved.”
Charles Leclerc after claiming pole:
Saturday 2 August 2025 16:26
,
Kieran Jackson
On his 27th career pole: “I don’t understand anything in Formula 1! The whole qualifying was extremely difficult. Q3, everything became a lot trickier, I just knew it had to be a clean lap. I definitely did not expect that.
“We are on pole position, I have no words, probably one of the best I’ve ever had, the most unexpected for sure.
“Turn 1 will be key.”
TOP-10 IN QUALIFYING
Saturday 2 August 2025 16:20
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Lando Norris
4. George Russell
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Lance Stroll
7. Gabriel Bortoleto
8. Max Verstappen
9. Liam Lawson
10. Isack Hadjar
Charles Leclerc on team radio:
Saturday 2 August 2025 16:08
,
Kieran Jackson
“WHAT?! Momma mia, oh my god!”
Charles Leclerc takes pole position in Hungary!
Saturday 2 August 2025 16:04
,
Kieran Jackson
What a shock here! Ferrari’s Leclerc takes pole by 0.026 secs!
Piastri in second did not improve, while Norris did - but he is only P3!
4-10: Russell, Alonso, Stroll, Bortoleto, Verstappen, Lawson, Hadjar
That’s Ferrari’s first pole of 2025!
Alonso goes P2!
Saturday 2 August 2025 16:01
,
Kieran Jackson
With both Aston Martin cars out there on their own, Alonso goes P2, splitting the Mclarens!
Stroll up to P4 too!
Final laps coming up though - 2:00 to go in Q3...
Max Verstappen:
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:58
,
Kieran Jackson
“It’s like driving on ice!”
Verstappen not happy...
Oscar Piastri on provisional pole!
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:57
,
Kieran Jackson
Piastri a smidge ahead after the first runs with a 1:15:398, 0.096 secs quicker than Norris in second!
Norris made a few errors in the final sector, while Russell was looking good until a snap in the final corner! There’s time there for both of them...
3-10: Russell, Alonso, Verstappen, Leclerc, Lawson, Bortoleto, Stroll, Hadjar
5:00 to go in Q2...
Q3 underway!
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:53
,
Kieran Jackson
Here we go then with the top-10 shootout for pole position!
10 drivers involved: Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Leclerc, Hadjar, Lawson, Stroll, Alonso, Bortoleto, Russell
HAMILTON OUT
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:47
,
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton knocked out in Q2!
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:44
,
Kieran Jackson
It’s another difficult Saturday for Lewis Hamilton - he’s only P13!
Hamilton: “Every time, every time.” Is that about traffic or the car?
Bottom-five and out in Q2 (11-15): Antonelli, Bearman, Hamilton, Sainz, Colapinto
Top-3: Norris, Piastri, Stroll. Both Aston Martins and RBs through!
Charles Leclerc:
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:36
,
Kieran Jackson
“Please focus on one thing, when we leave the pit-lane I don’t any cars, I don’t care about anyone else.”
Firm messaging from the Monegasque!
7:00 to go in Q2....
Lewis Hamilton in trouble!
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:35
,
Kieran Jackson
First laps in - and Hamilton only P11!
Current bottom-five (11-15): Hamilton, Sainz, Bortoleto, Antonelli, Colapinto
Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate Leclerc is only P10 too! Both lap-times were set on used tyres...
Rain is not having any impact on the track at the moment, remains to be seen if it will or not.
Q2 underway!
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:29
,
Kieran Jackson
Here we go then, 15 minutes where we’ll lose the slowest five!
And a few raindrops have started at turn 6!
There may well be a rush to get a lap in now...
Q2 delayed
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:26
,
Kieran Jackson
Gravel on track just being swept away by the marshals...
McLaren CEO Zak Brown:
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:25
,
Kieran Jackson
“It’s extremely competitive, FP3 was a larger gap than we were anticipated but this will be an exciting Q2 or Q3.
“We don’t think rain will hit the circuit, it’s about 5km away.”
Yuki Tsunoda out in Q1!
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:21
,
Kieran Jackson
Liam Lawson pushes Tsunoda into the bottom-five at the death!
Bottom-five (16-20) and out in Q1: Tsunoda, Gasly, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Albon
Five different teams in the bottom-five!
Top-3: Piastri, Alonso, Hadjar
Max Verstappen goes P6
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:17
,
Kieran Jackson
Should be fine for Max. Final laps coming in now... what about his teammate?!
2:00 to go in Q1..
Yuki Tsunoda in trouble
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:14
,
Kieran Jackson
First runs across the board are in and Tsunoda is in trouble, with the Red Bull driver only P17.
Current bottom-five (16-20): Sainz, Tsunoda, Bearman, Gasly, Ocon
Verstappen in a precarious initial spot in 13th too...
6:00 to go in Q1...
Oscar Piastri quickest early on
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:09
,
Kieran Jackson
First few laps are being registered here and the Australian is quickest after the first six minutes or so, four-tenths ahead of Lando Norris in second. Lewis Hamilton makes up the early top-three.
12:00 to go in Q1...
Q1 underway!
Saturday 2 August 2025 15:02
,
Kieran Jackson
Here we go then with the first part of qualifying in Budapest!
18 minutes where we will lose the slowest five drivers from the rest of the session...
F1 qualifying in Hungary!
Saturday 2 August 2025 14:55
,
Kieran Jackson
Ten minutes until qualifying in Budapest!
Saturday 2 August 2025 14:50
,
Kieran Jackson
It looks like a McLaren battle for pole here - but will we get a shock?
Norris vs Piastri looks set to be the main contest but can Verstappen or maybe even a Ferrari make a shock dart for top spot?
We’re about to find out!
Norris: Car 'has felt pretty good'
Saturday 2 August 2025 14:38
,
Chris Wilson
“The car since the first lap has felt pretty good,” says Lando Norris after practice.
“All my laps have been decent. The second session was a little bit more messy on low fuel and high fuel, a few more mistakes.
“It’s all part of practice and finding the limit in different areas. Good understanding. I know what I want from the car. It might be a bit harder trying to get it,” he adds.
F1’s return to Hungary serves as reminder of McLaren quarrel on the horizon
Saturday 2 August 2025 14:32
,
Jack Rathborn
The Hungaroring, Budapest. Twelve months ago, as it became apparent that McLaren’s 2024 mid-season renaissance was more than just a temporary spike on the performance graph, this is where the first banging of heads occurred between the papaya drivers out on track. Two drivers desperate for victory, which made a quarrel, with neither defined as team No 1, quite the inevitability.
Eventually, Oscar Piastri claimed his first F1 race victory and almost looked embarrassed to celebrate. It only came after Lando Norris reluctantly conceded the lead, as his engineer Will Joseph pleaded with the Brit to follow team orders.
Lewis Hamilton thinks about podium drought 'every day'
Saturday 2 August 2025 14:22
,
Jack Rathborn
Lewis Hamilton admits he thinks about the longest run of his career without a grand prix podium, currently at 15 races, “e