Lando Norris Takes 2026 Hungarian F1 Pole From Lewis Hamilton

Lando Norris secured pole position for the 2026 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix after setting a 1m17.207s lap during qualifying in Budapest.

The McLaren driver defeated Lewis Hamilton by just 0.012 seconds. Hamilton had previously recorded a 1m17.219s lap that briefly appeared sufficient to secure the leading grid position.

Norris improved on his final attempt to take pole away from Hamilton by the narrowest margin between the two leading drivers. The result placed them on the front row based on the qualifying classification.

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Charles Leclerc finished third with a 1m17.445s lap, edging championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 0.034 seconds. Antonelli complained about a lack of grip before completing qualifying in fourth place.

Oscar Piastri completed the top five ahead of Max Verstappen and George Russell. Verstappen and Russell encountered separate issues during the final part of qualifying and were unable to challenge the lap times set by Norris and Hamilton.

Isack Hadjar secured eighth place, followed by Arvid Lindblad and Nico Hulkenberg inside the top 10. Cadillac drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez occupied the final two positions.

The qualifying result gives Norris the leading position for the start of the 2026 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix, with the close contest involving Ferrari and McLaren’s immediate rivals set to shape the race in Budapest.