Norris on pole for Hungarian Grand Prix after Hamilton, Antonelli penalties
Norris on Pole Amid Penalties
Lando Norris of McLaren will start from pole position in the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking his first pole since last November in Las Vegas. This comes after he surpassed Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in the final moments of Q3. Hamilton, who had initially secured a front-row start, received a three-place penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri. This penalty moved Hamilton further down the grid, impacting his starting position for the race.
The grid was further reshuffled due to a penalty for Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli incurred a three-place penalty for speeding under yellow flags, which affected his starting position. As a result of these penalties, Charles Leclerc, who qualified third fastest, was promoted to second place, securing a front-row start for Ferrari. Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will now occupy the second row of the grid.
Norris commented on McLaren being in “new man’s land” by starting at the front of a Grand Prix grid for the first time this year. Despite this, he suggested that beating Ferrari and Mercedes to victory in Hungary was “not impossible.” McLaren has a history of strong performances at the Hungaroring, having finished first and second in the last two years. However, they were considered outsiders for a hat-trick of wins this time around.
McLaren’s Upgrades and Race Expectations
The team’s biggest upgrade to the MCL40 in several races has coincided with strong form at the challenging Hungaroring circuit. Norris has particularly thrived with these improvements. He emphasized the importance of good pace, effective tire management, and a strong start for the 70-lap race. Norris acknowledged the tough competition, noting that Mercedes and Ferrari’s race pace appeared strong and that both teams have been consistent throughout the year.
McLaren, the reigning two-time constructors’ champions, last secured a race win with Norris in Brazil eight months ago. The Woking-based team has achieved four podium finishes across the first 10 races of the current F1 rules era. Norris, who was among the quickest drivers at Spa-Francorchamps last week but faced a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding power-unit elements, remains cautious about the upcoming race.
He stated that qualifying is just one part of the event and that the race ahead will be difficult. Norris noted that the potential for a strong performance seen at Spa last weekend has carried over to this event. He expressed satisfaction that the team’s upgrades have translated into a positive result, which is beneficial for team motivation and atmosphere. However, he stressed that a good qualifying performance alone is not enough and a strong race on Sunday is essential.
Hamilton and Antonelli’s Fightbacks
For Lewis Hamilton, this marks the third consecutive weekend he has received a penalty from the stewards, making a fight for victory a significant challenge. The Hungaroring is known for being a difficult track for overtaking due to a lack of long straights. However, high tire degradation is anticipated, which could open up opportunities for different race strategies. This factor might still allow Hamilton a chance to reach the podium, especially if Ferrari’s short-run pace translates into strong long-run speed.
Hamilton praised the team’s efforts, highlighting the continuous innovation and evolution of the car. He described the current car as “night and day different” from the previous year’s model and expressed gratitude for its development, which has positioned them to contend for wins. He also noted the close competition among the top contenders, emphasizing the need for perfection to secure first place.
Kimi Antonelli will start one place behind his teammate George Russell, with the Mercedes pair in sixth and seventh positions. Antonelli currently leads Hamilton by 45 points and Russell by 50 points in the Drivers’ Championship. Both Mercedes drivers will face the challenge of navigating the pack on the long run down to Turn One. The Mercedes teammates have not had an on-track battle since Canada, where they nearly collided multiple times, suggesting that their interactions after the lights go out will be closely watched.
Antonelli acknowledged that the race would not be easy and that overtaking would be difficult, especially starting further back than anticipated. He mentioned that their long-run pace on Friday was good and that they would be striving to compete for the win. The Hungarian Grand Prix race is scheduled for Sunday at 2pm, with build-up beginning at 12:30pm.
Source: formula1.com
