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Norris beats Hamilton to Hungary pole in thrilling qualifying

Published July 25, 2026 at 4:03 PM UTC

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Lando Norris secured pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday, edging out Lewis Hamilton by just 0.044 seconds in a closely fought qualifying session. The McLaren driver’s lap of 1:15.227 was enough to claim the top spot at the Hungaroring, a circuit known for its tight and twisty nature. The result marks Norris’s second career pole position and continues McLaren’s recent upturn in form. Hamilton, who had looked strong throughout the weekend, will start second for Mercedes, while teammate George Russell qualified third. The qualifying session was held under hot and sunny conditions, with track temperatures reaching above 50 degrees Celsius, which affected tyre performance. Norris’s pole is a boost for McLaren, who have been working hard to close the gap to the leading teams. The team has introduced several upgrades in recent races, and the Hungarian circuit’s high-downforce requirements suited their car. For Hamilton, it was a near-miss in a season where Mercedes have struggled with inconsistent pace. The Briton will look to convert his front-row start into a win on Sunday. The race is expected to be a strategic battle, with tyre degradation a key factor. Norris will be aiming to convert his pole into his first win of the season, while Hamilton will be hoping to capitalise on any mistakes. The result also puts pressure on championship leader Max Verstappen, who qualified fourth after a difficult session.