Lando Norris landed the first pole position of his world championship defence after he beat Lewis Hamilton to top spot for the Hungarian Grand Prix by just 0.012 seconds.
Hamilton appeared on course to end a three-year run without taking pole only to be usurped by Norris in the closing moments of a thrilling qualifying session at the Hungaroring.
Hamilton had to settle for second, a place ahead of his team-mate Charles Leclerc, but he still has a strong chance of taking a record-extending ninth win at venue he has so often ruled, and slash Kimi Antonelli’s advantage at the summit of the world championship standings.
Antonelli, who holds a 45-point lead over Hamilton heading into the final round before the sport’s summer break, starts only fourth after Mercedes’ exclusive run of poles at every round so far came to a stuttering end. Antonelli’s team-mate George Russell was even further back in seventh as his title assault threatens to combust.
Follow live updates from the Hungarian GP with The Independent
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Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri to miss opening Hungarian GP practice
F1 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- The race on Sunday starts at 2pm (BST)
- Lando Norris claims pole for the Hungarian GP
- Lewis Hamilton awaits to hear about a potential post-race penalty
- Kimi Antonelli has a 45-point lead in the world championship
- PREVIEW: Aston Martin in last-chance saloon to keep Fernando Alonso in Formula 1
What time is the race on Sunday?
16:48 , Kieran JacksonThe Hungarian Grand Prix starts at 2pm (BST) on Sunday.
NEW: Hamilton receives penalty
17:49 , Kieran JacksonAs expected, Hamilton has received a three-place grid drop for impeding Oscar Piastri in qualifying.
As a result, he will drop from second to fifth on the grid, with Charles Leclerc bumped up to the front row.
Fernando Alonso, who qualified P16:
23:00 , Kieran Jackson“It has been a more competitive weekend for us and getting into Q2 is a step in the right direction. We are still optimising this package and there is more potential to unlock in the car. The car seems more consistent and predictable, so it’s a bit easier to drive.
“We are going to keep learning about this car tomorrow and we’ll see what we can do in the race.”
Kimi Antonelli, who starts P4:
22:00 , Kieran Jackson"I think, looking at the lap, I got a gust of tail wind in Turn Nine, so lost a tenth there. Then in the last corner, from the previous lap, it was a good tenth and half, because the lap before I didn't maximise the brake.
"Also, the yellow flag came while I was entering the corner, so I did try my best to lift. But also, I gave up quit a bit of speed compared to before. It was a shame, but I don't think pole psoiton. I think pretty close, like half a tenth to Lando [Norris], but not good enough for pole.”
Honda reaction to Aston Martin:
21:00 , Kieran JacksonShintaro Orihara, Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer: “Today we focused on maximising our one-lap performance for qualifying. We applied countermeasures for yesterday’s oscillations to improve, and we’ve observed good progress by changing those parameters.
“We’ve worked hard to optimise our energy management and driveability to this track with the new Aston Martin chassis.”
Hamilton parks at P1:
19:00 , Kieran JacksonThis one hurts...
Soon, Lewis, soon...#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/reN4Jalr8v
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 25, 2026
Oscar Piastri after finishing P5:
18:00 , Kieran Jackson"It was just Lewis not looking in his mirrors, the yellow flag wasn't my problem. A shame because it meant I didn't get a lap in either way. Clearly the car's been quick today, I've certainly been chasing it. It's not been easy but clearly there's performance there."
On changing conditions: "That's definitely not helped but the wind conditions have been quite different today so it was a bit of a reset in some ways. I feel like I've been chasing it all weekend to an extent, I feel like I need a few practice sessions to get on top of things, which we don't have."
NEW TOP-5
18:00 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)*
*Hamilton received a three-place grid drop for impeding Oscar Piastri in qualifying
QUALIFYING REPORT: Lando Norris pips Lewis Hamilton to Hungary pole as Mercedes duo struggle
17:40 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris landed the first pole position of his world championship defence after he beat Lewis Hamilton to top spot for the Hungarian Grand Prix by just 0.012 seconds.
Hamilton appeared on course to end a three-year run without taking pole only to be usurped by Norris in the closing moments of a thrilling qualifying session at the Hungaroring.
Hamilton had to settle for second, a place ahead of his team-mate Charles Leclerc, but he still has a strong chance of taking a record-extending ninth win at venue he has so often ruled, and slash Kimi Antonelli’s advantage at the summit of the world championship standings.
Antonelli, who holds a 45-point lead over Hamilton heading into the final round before the sport’s summer break, starts only fourth after Mercedes’ exclusive run of poles at every round so far came to a stuttering end.
Lando Norris pips Lewis Hamilton to Hungary pole as Mercedes F1 duo struggle
WATCH: HAmilto under investigation for impeding Piastri
17:27 , Kieran JacksonI think a three-place grid-drop could be incoming for Hamilton here...
Lewis Hamilton is under investigation for impeding Oscar Piastri 🔎 pic.twitter.com/gy9dkASj6h
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 25, 2026
Max Verstappen, who qualified P6:
17:20 , Kieran Jackson“My whole weekend has been bad, the car was really bad, we’re picking up aero losses, the car on entry is completely sideways. You cannot rely at all on the rear.
“First we need to understand our problems, so many unexplainable issues before you start to think about a normal race.”
FULL QUALIFYING RESULTS
17:00 , Kieran JacksonQUALIFYING CLASSIFICATION
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 25, 2026
Lando Norris takes his first pole of the season 👏#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/4vhIq9ZzW9
Charles Leclerc after qualifying P3:
16:40 , Kieran Jackson"I felt a bit off from this morning; qualifying has been quite messy, the pace was never to the level of Lewis.
“It was all about trying to maximise today and I felt like I kind of did it.”
A very disappointed Lewis Hamilton after qualifying P2:
16:28 , Kieran Jackson"Congratulations to Lando, great lap. We've been doing a great job all weekend, felt solid in qualifying. We went out first, wrong call, but the grip wasn't there on the last lap for Charles and I.
“We're competitive, but I think tomorrow is going to be a hard day. We were quickest throughout qualifying; definitely my mind is elsewhere this second... at the end of this lap, I don't know if I got in the way of someone.”
He was... very downbeat... and Hamilton did impede Piastri on a flying lap. That may well be a penalty.
Lando Norris after claiming pole:
16:17 , Kieran Jackson“Very happy to be back on top, tough quali! These guys [Ferrari] were very quick, but we’ve seemed quick this weekend from the upgrades. It’s a track where you certainly want to be on pole.
“I pushed it a bit more on the last lap, we did it in the end, very pleased for the team. “
On race: “I’m in the best position, these guys get good starts, I’m expecting a tough race. It’ll be interesting to see what tyre they start on.”
Top-10 in Hungary GP qualifying
16:05 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
4. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
7. George Russell (Mercedes)
8. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
9. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
Norris pole:
16:03 , Kieran Jackson“Gorgeous! Well done boys and girls!”
That’s Norris’ first pole of the season!
Lando Norris snatches pole!
16:02 , Kieran JacksonBy 0.012 secs to Hamilton right at the end! Hamilton misses out!
It’s third for Leclerc, with Antonelli and Piastri completing the top-five.
Verstappen spun in his final corner! He will be sixth with Russell (who has stopped at turn one and is out of the car) seventh.
8-10: Hadjar, Lindblad, Hulkenberg
Final laps incoming
15:57 , Kieran JacksonCan Hamilton claim his tenth pole position at Hungary - and his first for Ferrari?!
Final Q3 laps are on their way!
Lewis Hamilton on provisional pole
15:54 , Kieran JacksonStonker from Hamilton!
He goes top by a tenth to Norris, with Leclerc in third.
4-10: Antonelli, Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, Hadjar, Lindblad, Hulkenberg
They’ll head in... and will go again!
Q3 underway
15:52 , Kieran JacksonHere we go then - open one this!
The 10 drivers involved: Norris, Hadjar, Piastri, Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton, Antonelli, Russell, Hulkenberg
Out in Q2
15:46 , Kieran Jackson11. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
12. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
13. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
15. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
16. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
Squeaky bum time for Antonelii
15:40 , Kieran JacksonAntonelli has his penultimate lap cancelled due to track limits, dropping him to 14th, but gets it done with his final lap - as does Charles Leclerc, who goes from 11th to 2nd.
Fernando Alonso will be 16th - but Arvid Lindblad is through!
Bottom-six and out in Q2 (11-16): Lawson, Gasly, Colapinto, Bortoleto, Ocon, Alonso
Alonso into the top-10
15:36 , Kieran JacksonSo much improvement from Aston Martin!
On a new set of tyres, Alonso puts his car in 10th.
He may well be knocked out, but it gives hope to the Spaniard...
Kimi Antonelli:
15:33 , Kieran Jackson“I’ve got no grip Bono, we’re doing something wrong with tyres.”
Not a happy camper!
6 mins to go in Q2, current bottom-six: Gasly, Colapinto, Ocon, Alonso, Hadjar, Bortoleto
Isack Hadjar spins
15:31 , Kieran JacksonThe Red Bull driver loses it at turn 11 and spins!
He keeps his car running so all OK.
Lap ruined, mind.
Q2 underway
15:30 , Kieran JacksonCan Alonso somehow get Aston Martin into the top-10 shootout?!
Out in Q1
15:25 , Kieran Jackson17. Ollie Bearman (Haas)
18. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
19. Alex Albon (Williams)
20. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
21. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
22. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
Alonso qualifies for Q2
15:21 , Kieran JacksonFor the first time this season, Aston Martin are into Q2! Alonso makes it!
Fernando Alonso makes it, just, by one-tenth over Ollie Bearman, out in 17th. Both Williams drivers are out this time!
Bottom-six (17-22) and out in Q1: Bearman, Sainz, Albon, Stroll, Bottas, Perez
Norris quickest early on
15:13 , Kieran JacksonNorris sets the early benchmark, three-tenths ahead of Verstappen.
But the biggest news is Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are both in the top-16 right now. Huge,
6 minutes to go in Q1.
Q1 underway
15:03 , Kieran JacksonHere we go then with the opening qualifying session!
18 minutes where we’ll lose the slowest six drivers from the rest of qualifying...
The Williams pair of Sainz and Albon are the first cars out on track...
Qualifying at the Hungarian GP
14:57 , Kieran JacksonWe’re five minutes from what feels like a very open qualifying session in Budapest!
Kimi Antonelli is the favourite but he’s not had it all his own way so far this weekend. Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris are right in the fight too!
And given overtaking is difficult around the Hungaroring, it’s an important session too!
This was close!
14:52 , Kieran JacksonCalamity narrowly avoided for the two Aston Martins 😰#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/K5xOt8PIcd
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 25, 2026
PREVIEW: Aston Martin in last-chance saloon to keep Fernando Alonso in Formula 1
14:49 , Kieran JacksonThey say seeing is believing. And seeing the leaderboard in qualifying last weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, specifically the initial phase, really did take some believing.
For a team whose underlying goal was to be a Formula One world championship contender in 2026, Aston Martin’s opening 10 races have been nothing short of a calamity. From “nerve damage” safety concerns at the season opener in Australia to countless power unit failures, Aston’s new partnership with Honda has been woeful. What’s more, they previously used Mercedes engines, by far and away the most powerful on the grid in the sport’s new electrical energy-focused era.
And in Q1 at the last race in Belgium, Aston drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were both more than two seconds slower than the next-slowest car, new team Cadillac, and more than four seconds off the frontrunners.
But this weekend, they have a big upgrade:
Farewell, Fernando? Torrid Aston Martin in last-chance saloon to keep Alonso
Antonelli has a 45-point lead
14:44 , Kieran JacksonWe know for sure that Antonelli will head into the summer break in front; but will he have an even bigger lead?
Here’s the top-10:
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 204 points
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 159 points
3. George Russell (Mercedes) - 154 points
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 126 points
5. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 103 points
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 92 points
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 91 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 60 points
9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 42 points
10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 39 points
Martin Brundle on Aston Martin's upgrades:
14:30 , Kieran Jackson“The car looks better. Often, you’ve got speed not reliability or the other way around - but they’ve had neither. They have all the ingredients but if the upgrade isn’t stonking, something isn’t working.
“I think it will be 2027 before Honda and Aston Martin are back.”
George Russell reaches breaking point but familiar foe shows path forward for Mercedes star
14:15 , Kieran JacksonNine races in; 25 points behind. Not ideal, but eminently salvageable for George Russell, who has endured an arduous start to a campaign which had his name written all over a debut F1 world championship. Now, 10 races down, that deficit has doubled in one spin into the gravel to 50 points. Needless to say, this was not how the Briton envisaged the start of his 2026 season.
Whether it be ill-timed safety cars, a lack of confidence or now mechanical issues, Russell has encountered his fair share of problems as the campaign nears its halfway point. In Belgium, an engine starved of straight-line speed – in stark contrast to his teammate Kimi Antonelli – was the latest in an ever-growing list of mishaps.
And it stretched him to breaking point.
Piece after the Belgian GP below:
Russell reaches breaking point but familiar foe shows path forward for Mercedes star
NEWS: Red Bull name replacement for key Max Verstappen ally for 2027
14:00 , Kieran JacksonMax Verstappen’s outgoing race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will be replaced by Tom Hart at Red Bull.
Lambiase confirmed in April that he will leave Red Bull and his role as Verstappen’s right-hand man for McLaren, joining the papaya as the chief racing officer no later than 2028.
Red Bull are now shuffling their cards behind the scenes as they prepare for a new era and it has been confirmed that Verstappen’s performance engineer Hart will take over Lambiase’s role – and will likely be in place for the start of the 2027 season.
More below:
Red Bull name replacement for key Max Verstappen ally for 2027
Constructor standings ahead of Hungarian GP
13:45 , Kieran JacksonFrom a lead of more than 100 points, Mercedes are getting pegged back in the constructors’ championship:
1. Mercedes - 358 points
2. Ferrari - 285 points
3. McLaren - 195 points
4. Red Bull - 151 points
5. Alpine - 61 points
6. Racing Bulls - 61 points
7. Haas - 21 points
8. Williams - 11 points
9. Audi - 10 points
10. Aston Martin - 1 point
11. Cadillac - 0 points
Lewis Hamilton speaking before Budapest weekend:
13:30 , Kieran Jackson"Mercedes are still the team to beat. They've won almost all the races, they're quick in all circuits, fast in slow-speed circuits, the quickest in Monaco.
“You have to anticipate they could be quickest this weekend as well."
NEWS: Malaysia could return to F1 calendar for first time in nine years amid schedule shake-up
13:15 , Kieran JacksonMalaysia could return to the Formula 1 calendar for the first time since 2017 as the sport eyes up contingency plans for the second half of the 2026 season.
After races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled in April due to the conflict in the Middle East, F1 is keen to add to its current 22-race calendar and was hopeful of racing in Bahrain in October, in between already scheduled races in Azerbaijan (26 September) and Singapore (11 October).
However, given the recent escalation in the region after the ending of the US-Iran ceasefire, F1 bosses are seeking alternatives and the Sepang International Circuit, just outside Kuala Lumpur, is one option.
Malaysia could return to 2026 F1 calendar amid schedule shake-up
What time is qualifying?
13:05 , Kieran JacksonQualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix starts at 3pm (BST).
Martin Brundle on FP3:
13:01 , Kieran Jackson“Close, as it always is here. Three different chassis right up at the front, pushing hard. Bodes well for this afternoon.”
Top-10 in FP3
12:46 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 1:17.939
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.117
3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.129
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.352
5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.499
6. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.602
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.717
8. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +1.004
9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +1.149
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) +1.221
Lando Norris fastest
12:37 , Kieran JacksonThe McLaren ends up on top then, just over a tenth quicker than Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli, who make up the top-three.
4-10: Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Verstappen, Hadjar, Lawson, Hulkenberg
Should be a cracker for qualifying, me thinks! And a hot one at that - track temperatures are now 54C!
Antonelli goes third
12:31 , Kieran JacksonImprovement for the championship leader.
He sets a competitive time, within three tenths of Norris, to go third.
Final moments now...
Hamilton goes P2
12:24 , Kieran JacksonHamilton squeezes into second, 0.117 secs off Norris - still a surprise table-topper.
Antonelli, who has been struggling, now setting his final push lap...
Lando Norris goes top
12:18 , Kieran JacksonMcLaren have found some pace!
Norris goes top with a time 0.048 secs clear of Antonelli in P2.
Piastri is P3, with Leclerc fourth and Hamilton fifth.
Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar over team radio: "The downshifts are horrific. Disgusting in Turn One and Two. Turn 12 as well."
Final laps coming in now with 10 mins left!
Top-10 with 25 mins left
12:05 , Kieran Jackson1. Hamilton
2. Norris
3. Hadjar
4. Piastri
5. Verstappen
6. Russell
7. Leclerc
8. Lawson
9. Hulkenberg
10. Bortoleto
Lewis Hamilton goes fastest
12:03 , Kieran JacksonHamilton goes top by 0.009 seconds!
Hot laps coming in right now...
Lando Norris fastest at halfway stage
12:02 , Kieran JacksonNorris goes two-tenths quicker than Russell to go to the top, before Piastri nips in to go P2.
GREEN FLAG
11:59 , Kieran JacksonNow there’s an appetite to get out there!
The majority of cars out on the circuit after Perez’s car is cleared...
RED FLAG
11:53 , Kieran JacksonPerez, now out on track, has stopped at turn 2. And his Cadillac is looking smoky.
Session stopped.
Slow start to FP3
11:43 , Kieran JacksonOK so even for FP3, this is a slow start to proceedings.
12 minutes in and only 4 cars have been out on track - and no big-hitters so far.
While Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas is out on track, there’s a lot of work being done on Sergio Perez’s car.
Only one car out on track
11:36 , Kieran JacksonAs ever at the start of third practice, not much rapid movement in the pit-lane.
Alpine’s Franco Colapinto is the only driver out on track in the opening 5 minutes.
FP3 underway
11:30 , Kieran JacksonHere we go then with the third and final practice session in Budapest.
A big one, particularly for the likes of Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri, who have only had one hour of running so far this weekend.
Who will set the final benchmark ahead of qualifying later today?
Mercedes with work to do, says George Russell
11:25 , Kieran Jackson"It's a bit of a shame because Budapest is one of the most enjoyable circuits to drive. They have resurfaced a third of the track and they've done a really bad job. It's really bumpy.
"The track is breaking up in the last corner so people are driving around the middle of the last corner and not hitting the apex.
"The underlying car pace doesn't seem as competitive as we saw in Silverstone and Spa. There is a lot of room to improve. The wind is shifting a lot and that has a real impact into car balance. Hopefully tomorrow will be better."
Charles Leclerc after setting the second-quickest lap in FP2 on Friday:
11:20 , Kieran Jackson"It was a relatively strong day," Leclerc said. "I felt good with the car and the performance seemed to be there straight away so that's a good thing but the weekend is long.
"From the Friday to Saturday we see teams making a jump in performance. Normally we are on the back foot on Friday so it's a good thing we have a good Friday but we still need to stay on it and work hard to get better tomorrow.
"It is going to be tight tomorrow. I don't expect us to have the gap we have today, we will have to do everything perfect. But if the feeling is there I am sure we will do a good job in Q3."
What are the start times this weekend in Budapest?
11:00 , Kieran JacksonAll times BST
Saturday 25 July
- Free practice 3: 11:30am
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 26 July
- Race: 2pm
F1 Hungarian Grand Prix
10:57 , Kieran JacksonFormula 1 returns to the Hungaroring this weekend for the Hungarian Grand Prix and round 11 of the 2026 season.
Kimi Antonelli claimed his sixth win of the season last time out at Spa-Francorchamps, winning from pole position to extend his lead in the F1 world championship to 45 points after Mercedes teammate George Russell crashed out on the opening lap.
Lewis Hamilton is now Antonelli’s closest contender but could only finish fourth on a disappointing weekend for the Briton in Belgium, but he has won seven times in Hungary. His Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, finished second with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in third.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris won last year’s race in Budapest ahead of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. It is the final race before the customary summer break.
