Charles Leclerc Secures Shocking Pole Position at Hungarian GP

Charles Leclerc delivered a surprising performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix, clinching pole position on Saturday. The Ferrari driver will share the front row with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who also expressed astonishment at his own qualifying result. Lando Norris, Piastri’s closest championship rival, qualified third, while George Russell secured fourth place for Mercedes.

This pole position marks Ferrari’s first of the season in a standard Grand Prix, contrasting with Leclerc’s teammate Lewis Hamilton, who only managed to qualify in twelfth place at the Hungaroring. Hamilton had previously taken a sprint pole in Shanghai earlier in the year.

Leclerc’s reaction was one of disbelief. “Today, I don’t understand anything in Formula One,” he stated, exclaiming “What? Mamma Mia!” upon learning he had secured pole by a mere 0.026 seconds. He described the qualifying session as “extremely difficult,” adding that it was “probably one of the best pole positions I’ve ever had. It’s the most unexpected, for sure.”

Piastri, currently 16 points ahead of Norris in the championship standings, echoed Leclerc’s surprise. “I wasn’t expecting to be second to a Ferrari this weekend,” said the Australian, who won the Hungarian GP last year. Piastri had been the fastest in the final practice session earlier on Saturday, following Norris’s dominant performance on Friday.

Despite McLaren’s previous success this season, having secured eight poles and ten wins out of thirteen races, Leclerc’s position gives him a genuine chance at Ferrari’s first victory of the year. The Hungaroring, known for its challenging overtaking conditions, could play a crucial role in the race outcome.

Norris acknowledged Leclerc’s risk-taking on his final flying lap, particularly as wind conditions changed towards the end of the session. “I think it’s going to be an exciting race. I would expect us to have a bit more pace than Charles, so I’m looking forward to it,” Norris remarked.

Behind the leading quartet, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll qualified fifth and sixth, showing a notable improvement for their team. Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto will start seventh for Sauber, with reigning champion Max Verstappen taking eighth position for Red Bull. Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar completed the top ten.

Verstappen’s teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, faced disappointment, failing to progress beyond the first qualifying phase and will begin the race from sixteenth on the grid. The anticipation builds as the race approaches, with Leclerc aiming to convert his unexpected pole into a race victory.