F1 Qualifying Results & Report 2024 Hungarian GP

Event: Hungarian F1 Grand Prix
Track: Hungaroring circuit

Weather: dry  24.1°C
Tarmac: dry  30.3°C
Humidity : 62%
Wind : 3.6 km/h South

Lando Norris scored his 3rd F1 pole position of his career, during the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session today. The McLaren driver will start from P1 for the first time on the Hungaroring. It was the 157th pole for the McLaren team.

Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying Report: A Day of High Drama and Unpredictable Conditions

Q1: Early Exits and Shocking Surprises

The 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying kicked off with a bang, as drivers faced mixed weather conditions that added an extra layer of complexity to the already challenging Hungaroring circuit. Sergio Perez of Red Bull and George Russell of Mercedes were among the early casualties, both drivers unable to navigate the slippery track effectively and finding themselves eliminated in Q1. Perez's session ended dramatically with a crash after dipping a wheel on a wet kerb, joining Russell, Zhou Guanyu, Esteban Ocon, and Pierre Gasly on the sidelines.

Despite the chaotic conditions, Lando Norris showed early signs of his prowess, setting competitive lap times that hinted at his potential for pole. The session saw constant jostling for position, with times improving as the track dried. However, it was a day of disappointment for Alpine, as both their drivers failed to make it past the first hurdle, an error in judgment regarding track conditions proving costly.

Q2: Narrow Escapes and Intense Competition

The second segment of qualifying continued to test the drivers' skills and the teams' strategic decisions. As the track conditions improved, the competition intensified. Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton narrowly avoided elimination, scraping through to Q3 by a mere 0.010 seconds. The likes of Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas, Alex Albon, Logan Sargeant, and Kevin Magnussen were not as fortunate, finding themselves cut from the top 10 shootout.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri emerged as a significant threat, putting in a stellar performance on used tyres and nearly matching Max Verstappen's times. This set the stage for a thrilling Q3, with both McLaren drivers showing they had the pace to challenge for the top spots. The pressure was on, and the looming threat of rain added to the urgency of getting a quick lap in early.

Q3: McLaren Dominates Amidst Late Drama

The final segment of qualifying was a nail-biter from start to finish. The session was briefly halted by a red flag after Yuki Tsunoda's heavy crash at Turn 5, adding tension to an already dramatic day. Once the session resumed, it was all about timing and tire management as the drivers pushed for their final flying laps.

Lando Norris capitalized on the moment, setting a blistering lap time of 1m 15.227s to secure pole position. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, came incredibly close, finishing just 0.022 seconds behind, ensuring a McLaren front row lockout. Norris's pole was a testament to his skill in mixed conditions, as he managed to stay ahead even as the rain started to fall.

Max Verstappen, despite showing strong pace throughout the day, could only manage third, unable to match the McLaren duo's speed. Carlos Sainz of Ferrari secured fourth, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc rounding out the third row. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll took seventh and eighth, while Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda completed the top 10.

Intrigue and Anticipation for Race Day

As the dust settled on a thrilling qualifying session, the stage was set for an exciting Hungarian Grand Prix. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's stellar performances gave McLaren a strategic advantage, while Max Verstappen and Red Bull faced the challenge of fighting from behind. The potential for further drama was high, with Sergio Perez and George Russell needing strong recovery drives from the back of the grid.

With the weather forecast predicting a return to hotter conditions for the race, teams and drivers alike will need to adapt quickly. The Hungarian Grand Prix promises to be a captivating spectacle, with Lando Norris aiming to convert his pole position into a much-desired victory, Oscar Piastri seeking his first F1 win, and Max Verstappen eager to reassert Red Bull's dominance.

Last years pole position time was a 1:16.609 min, driven by Lewis Hamilton with the Mercedes W14.

Qualifying Times 2024 Hungarian GP

✅ Don't forget to check out our 2024 Hungarian F1 Grand Prix preview info.

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