Alonso splits the McLarens
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc shocked everyone — including himself — to claim pole position for tomorrow's Hungarian Grand Prix.
McLaren had dominated every practice session at the Hungaroring this weekend, and still looked on course for a front row lockout through qualifying today.
However neither Oscar Piastri nor Lando Norris could go faster in their final run, leaving Leclerc quickest with a 1:15.372 — just 0.026 seconds ahead of McLaren's championship leader.
In the other Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton endured another disappointing qualifying to exit after Q2 in 12th.
Catch up on all the action and reaction below.
Quali result: 1 LEC, 2 PIA, 3 NOR, 4 RUS Next: Sunday's race (10am ET)
Sunday's race (10am ET) Join the debate: live@theathletic.com
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Smith: Why staying at Red Bull was always Max Verstappen's best bet for F1 2026 Getty Images
Q3 2:28 — Another run from Fernando Alonso, and he is P2 — with his Aston Martin just 0.083s behind Oscar Piastri.
Wow.
Q3 4:44 — Max Verstappen out for his final lap in Q3, says it's still like 'driving on ice' in his Red Bull.
I really don't think we'll be seeing a RB21 on pole tomorrow.
Brave words, I know…
Q3 4:44 — Lando Norris says on the radio he doesn't know why the rear of his car felt like it was 'all over the place' on his first run in Q3.
His race engineer, Will Joseph, notes the wind has changed a lot.
It may require some wing tweaks in response.
Q3 5:59 — First runs and Oscar Piastri has provisional pole. He nails a 1:15.398, which is still some way off the previous quickest laps.
But the track temperature is dropping. This track isn't as quick as it was.
Lando Norris is just 0.096s behind with George Russell two-tenths further back.
Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen are the only two cars remaining within one second of the McLarens right now.
Q3 12:00 — Here comes Q3. Let's get this grid sorted.
Time for the pole position shootout… Getty Images
As for those into Q3, Gabriel Bortoleto has done it again — for the third time in four races.
Incredibly impressive from the rookie, in a Sauber that eliminated Nico Hülkenberg in Q1.
Brilliant.
Another twist in Lewis Hamilton's rollercoaster season this, eliminated in 12th place in Q2.
He told his engineer prior to finding out he was out:
💬 'I don't think I can go any faster. Jeez.'
Looks like the wait for his first Ferrari podium will continue this weekend... Getty Images
It's equally desperate from Kimi Antonelli, who also exits in Q2. He complains of a lack of rear grip — before adding he didn't really know what happened.
Here's who else that missed out on Q3. 11: Oliver Bearman (HAS)
12: Lewis Hamilton (FER)
13: Carlos Sainz (WIL)
14: Franco Colapinto (ALP)
15: Kimi Antonelli (MER)
Colapinto had a late stab at making Q3 for the first time this year, but just missed out with his final lap.
It's happened again. Lewis Hamilton fails to make Q3 again, stuck P13 and out of qualifying.
That first Ferrari podium at a track he loves is looking a tall order now.
He shakes his head as he pulls his car into the Ferrari garage, with a simple radio message:
💬 'Every time. Every time.'
Desperate.
Q2 0:00 — Checkered flag out. Lewis Hamilton still in trouble.
Here we go…
Q2 1:58 — Charles Leclerc gave a pretty explicit instruction to his team over the radio after his first run: give him a clear track for his second.
It's not worked out like that however, with the Ferrari having to deal with some cars in front.
Both red cars need a good lap here to make it into Q3.
Q2 3:29 — Finally, we have a proper queue of cars in the pit lane!
We have the hilarious sight of Carlos Sainz sticking his nose out and NO other car being prepared to let him in.
I guess we've all been where you were, Carlos. And probably sworn as a result.
Q2 4:31 — Into the lull before the final runs in Q2, and it's notable that once again, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are up in P3 and P4 for Aston Martin right now.
This continues to look good for the team.
Indeed, Stroll has gone back out again and has the track to himself. Getty Images
Q2 7:37 — Lando Norris is quick too, with a 1:14.890s — which is faster than Oscar Piastri's FP3 leading time.
Piastri goes slower by 0.051 seconds.
Everyone else is on a different planet behind.
But once again, the Ferrari pair is struggling after the first runs — with Charles Leclerc P10 and Lewis Hamilton P11.
Kimi Antonelli down there too, while Franco Colapinto has his lap time deleted for exceeding track limits.
Q2 10:49 — 'Very light drops' of rain according to Lando Norris' race engineer.
Sector times are comparable to Q1 at the moment.
Q2 15:00 — The green light is on for Q2 and in truth, it sounds like there could be a few spots of rain around.
Get out there on the track asap?
These could be the best conditions we get in these 15 minutes.
Definitely got to feel a bit for Yuki Tsunoda there.
The gap of 0.163 seconds to Max Verstappen is the closest he's been to his Red Bull teammate all season — yet it's not enough to ensure he is through to Q2, eliminated in 16th.
That will sting.
As for at the pointy end, Oscar Piastri was quickest in Q1 with a 1:15.211s.
He was followed by (in order) Fernando Alonso, Isack Hadjar, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.
A nod for Gabriel Bortoleto in P6 too. Getty Images
Here are the five we've lost in that opening session, and who will make up the back rows of tomorrow's grid… 16: Yuki Tsunoda (RBR)
17: Pierre Gasly (ALP)
18: Esteban Ocon (HAS)
19: Nico Hülkenberg (SAU)
20: Alex Albon (WIL)
That is the first time Albon has been eliminated in Q1 this season too.
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