Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured the team’s first pole position of the season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, leaving Lewis Hamilton struggling to come to terms with his own disappointing performance.
Leclerc took top spot after beating McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris into second and third by a mere four-hundredths of a second. This achievement comes as a surprise, given Ferrari’s struggles throughout the season. However, the team’s recent upgrade to the rear suspension has helped them close the gap with dominant McLarens.
Hamilton, who is the most successful driver at this track with nine poles and eight wins, was left frustrated after his Q2 lap fell short of expectations. He dubbed himself “useless” in an interview, saying it was not Ferrari’s problem but rather his own car’s performance. This latest blow compounds a torrid season for Hamilton, who has struggled to find the desired pace with his current ride.
In Belgium, Hamilton criticized himself for making an unacceptable error that left him 16th on the grid. This marks the fourth time this year he has failed to make it into Q3. The recent improvement in Ferrari’s performance means they will be more competitive than ever, but Leclerc faces a tough challenge from the dominant McLarens.
The Monegasque driver will start on pole, with Norris and Piastri following closely behind. Russell was fourth for Mercedes, while Alonso and Stroll took fifth and sixth for Aston Martin. The battle ahead promises to be intense, with Leclerc well-positioned to try to dictate from the start.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/aug/02/hungarian-grand-prix-charles-leclerc-grabs-pole-for-ferrari-after-hamilton-flops-again