In a thrilling and unpredictable Qualifying session at the Hungaroring, Charles Leclerc pulled off a sensational late lap to snatch pole position for the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, narrowly beating McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in what proved to be one of the closest top-three splits of the season.
What To Know?
- Leclerc took pole with a 1:15.372, just 0.026s ahead of Piastri and 0.041s ahead of Norris.
- Verstappen qualified eighth, behind rookie Bortoleto’s impressive P7.
- Hamilton was eliminated in Q2 and started 12th; Antonelli started 15th after a track limits penalty.
Leclerc’s lap of 1:15.372 came in the dying moments of Q3, with the Ferrari driver mastering tricky conditions brought on by light rain in Q2, rapidly dropping temperatures, and gusty winds that unsettled more than a few drivers during their final runs. With that effort, the Monegasque driver claimed his second pole of the season—this one snatched from the jaws of a McLaren front-row lockout.
Formula One History Recommends
Oscar Piastri, who had looked composed and consistent through all three segments, fell just 0.026s short of top spot, while Norris was a further 0.015s behind, setting up an all-out McLaren–Ferrari fight for Sunday. Mercedes’ George Russell delivered when it counted with a strong lap to go fourth, just 0.053s off pole, as Aston Martin turned Friday potential into Saturday performance—Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll locking out row three in P5 and P6, respectively. Gabriel Bortoleto continued to shine for Kick Sauber, securing a brilliant P7 and outqualifying four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, who wrestled with Red Bull’s balance all session long and could only manage P8.
Racing Bulls capitalised on their recent form with a double top-10 result, Liam Lawson outpacing rookie teammate Isack Hadjar to claim ninth on the grid, with both drivers keeping calm under pressure in Q2 to push through to the final shootout.
Not so fortunate was Lewis Hamilton, who was once again left frustrated after another Q2 exit. The seven-time World Champion could manage no better than P12 and let out a resigned “every time” over the radio as he slotted between Haas’ Ollie Bearman and Williams’ Carlos Sainz.
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli had a Q3 appearance within reach but lost out due to track limits—his deleted lap dropped him to 15th, one spot behind Alpine’s Franco Colapinto. Yuki Tsunoda, who had enjoyed a stronger showing at Spa, fell back to earth with a Q1 exit in 16th. He was followed by Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Haas’ Esteban Ocon, both struggling to hook up clean laps as the track evolved quickly. At the very back, Nico Hülkenberg and Alex Albon both failed to improve on their opening runs, leaving them on the last row of the grid after being unable to match their teammates’ late-session progress.
The ever-changing grip levels and unpredictable breeze made Saturday’s session a true driver test, and as the championship rolls into race day, the stage was set for a showdown between two of the season’s most consistent forces: McLaren’s young guns and a resurgent Leclerc with his sights set on victory in Budapest.
2025 Hungarian GP Qualifying Results
2025 Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying, 2 August 2025
| POS. | NO. | DRIVER | TEAM | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | LAPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:15.582 | 1:15.455 | 1:15.372 | 18 |
| 2 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:15.211 | 1:14.941 | 1:15.398 | 18 |
| 3 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:15.523 | 1:14.890 | 1:15.413 | 18 |
| 4 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:15.627 | 1:15.201 | 1:15.425 | 15 |
| 5 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:15.281 | 1:15.395 | 1:15.481 | 15 |
| 6 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:15.673 | 1:15.129 | 1:15.498 | 18 |
| 7 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber | 1:15.586 | 1:15.687 | 1:15.725 | 18 |
| 8 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:15.736 | 1:15.547 | 1:15.728 | 18 |
| 9 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:15.849 | 1:15.630 | 1:15.821 | 18 |
| 10 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 1:15.516 | 1:15.469 | 1:15.915 | 15 |
| 11 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:15.750 | 1:15.694 | 12 | |
| 12 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:15.733 | 1:15.702 | 12 | |
| 13 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:15.652 | 1:15.781 | 15 | |
| 14 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:15.875 | 1:16.159 | 12 | |
| 15 | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:15.782 | 1:16.386 | 9 | |
| 16 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Racing | 1:15.899 | 6 | ||
| 17 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:15.966 | 6 | ||
| 18 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1:16.023 | 6 | ||
| 19 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber | 1:16.081 | 6 | ||
| 20 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 1:16.223 | 9 |
2025 Hungarian Grand Prix Starting Grid
The Grand Prix starting grid, with or without penalties, after the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying session.
| POS. | NO. | DRIVER | TEAM | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:15.372 |
| 2 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:15.398 |
| 3 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:15.413 |
| 4 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:15.425 |
| 5 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:15.481 |
| 6 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:15.498 |
| 7 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber | 1:15.725 |
| 8 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:15.728 |
| 9 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:15.821 |
| 10 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 1:15.915 |
| 11 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:15.694 |
| 12 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:15.702 |
| 13 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:15.781 |
| 14 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:16.159 |
| 15 | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:16.386 |
| 16 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Racing | 1:15.899 |
| 17 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:15.966 |
| 18 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1:16.023 |
| 19 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber | 1:16.081 |
| 20 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 1:16.223 |
Race Guide
Race: 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix
Season: 2025 F1 World Championship
Race weekend: 1 August 2025 – 3 August 2025
Race date: Sunday, 3 August 2025
Race start time: 15:00 local time
Circuit: Hungaroring
Laps: 70
Circuit length: 4.381km
2024 winner: Oscar Piastri
Seen in:
