Charles Leclerc got the better of both McLaren stars to finally secure a first pole position of 2025 for Ferrari at the Hungarian Grand Prix. And Fernando Alonso also starred in qualifying at the Hungaroring by going fifth quickest as Aston Martin flexed their muscles.
But the day belonged to Leclerc who could only laugh over the radio when he was told what he had achieved at a track he had labelled his "worst of the year" earlier in the weekend. It sparked jubilant scenes of cheering and jumping for joy among the mechanics in the Ferrari garage.
For McLaren were the ones who looked set to take pole with ease. They were first and second quickest in all three practice sessions and dominated the first and second part of qualifying, but neither Lando Norris nor championship leader Oscar Piastri could find an improvement on their final runs.
Piastri pipped Norris to the front row while George Russell joined his fellow Brit on the second for the start of Sunday's race. But the other stars of qualifying were the Aston Martin cars who showed great pace throughout and capitalised by locking out the third row, Alonso starting ahead of Lance Stroll.
Sign up to our free weekly F1 newsletter, Pit Lane Chronicle, by entering your email address below so that every new edition lands straight in your inbox!
But there was disappointment for other big names, including Lewis Hamilton who failed to make it to the top 10. Max Verstappen did progress to Q3, but could manage to go only eighth quickest in a Red Bull about which he constantly complained, telling his team that it was "literally like driving on ice".
Williams were worried that this track would not suit their car so would have been happy to see Carlos Sainz make it through to the second part of the session. But the same was not true for Alex Albon who has had an excellent season so far but qualified 20th and last in Budapest.
READ MORE: Lando Norris says what he won't do to beat McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri to F1 title
READ MORE: F1 stewards issue statement after Max Verstappen penalty decision over towel incident
The bottom five was made up of drivers all from different teams. Nico Hulkenberg is set to share the last row with Albon, behind Esteban Ocon in 18th in his Haas and, one place ahead, the Alpine of Pierre Gasly. And there was another Q1 exit for Yuki Tsunoda who continues to struggle in qualifying in that second Red Bull.
It was also rather pedestrian for a qualifying session until the heavens unexpectedly opened in Q2, wetting the track not enough to have a dramatic effect on lap times or force drivers off the slick tyres, but to make it more tricky to find grip in key areas which was upsetting some teams who had previously shown good pace, like Ferrari, and suiting others like Aston Martin who were flying high.
The wet weather had caught many off guard as it did not appear on the radars until it hit, but it also did not stick around for long and, by the time everyone emerged from the pit lane for their final runs of that second part of qualifying, there was no rain falling and the part of the track that had been slightly dampened were drying again.
By the end of it, it was again five drivers from different teams who found themselves right where they did not want to be. Hamilton was the big casualty, only 12th quickest while Kimi Antonelli was 11th but had his quickest lap deleted to drop him to 15th on the grid.
Full 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying resultYou may also like
'We Urge Fans And Media Outlets...': WCL Issues Clarification Over Viral Video Featuring Shahid Afridi And India Champions
Mumbai Shocker: 18-Year-Old Mentally Challenged Girl Sexually Assaulted, Now 8 Months Pregnant; Case Registered Under POCSO Act Against 3 Accused
'Police Ko Bulao Please': Nepali-Origin Woman Pleads As Mob Assaults Her Over Suspicion Of Theft In Bareilly – VIDEO
Lando Norris: Fighting Charles Leclerc for pole wasn't worth 'risk' to F1 title bid
Muhammad Ali's brother dies aged 82 as 'extraordinary bond' hailed in tributes
