Lando Norris secured pole position for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit. The McLaren driver posted a lap time of 1:16.345, narrowly beating Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, was just 0.012 seconds slower, placing him second on the grid.
Norris expressed significant satisfaction following the session. He stated, ‘I am very, very happy. Very happy to be back on top.’ This marks a crucial moment for the British driver and his team.
The qualifying session proved challenging and highly competitive. Norris acknowledged the pace of rival teams, noting, ‘It was a tough qualifying. These guys [Ferrari drivers] were very quick. It has been very close all weekend.’
McLaren introduced a substantial aerodynamic upgrade package for their MCL38 car at this event. The updates specifically targeted the floor and diffuser components. These modifications aimed to enhance high-speed cornering stability and overall downforce.
Team Principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the new package delivered the anticipated performance gains during earlier practice sessions. Norris also indicated the upgrades were instrumental in his pole-winning lap.
The Hungaroring circuit is characterized by its tight and twisty layout, often making overtaking difficult. Securing pole position here is considered highly advantageous for race strategy due to the track’s nature.
The full qualifying results saw Charles Leclerc in third position, followed by his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz in fourth. Oscar Piastri qualified fifth for McLaren, with George Russell taking sixth for Mercedes.
Max Verstappen secured seventh place for Red Bull. Fernando Alonso placed eighth for Aston Martin, ahead of Sergio Pérez in ninth for Red Bull. Nico Hulkenberg completed the top ten for Haas.
McLaren has demonstrated consistent performance improvements throughout the 2026 season. The team has achieved multiple podium finishes, positioning them in a competitive battle with Ferrari and Mercedes.
This pole position provides a clear confidence boost for McLaren. The team aims to convert this strong grid slot into a significant race result during Sunday’s Grand Prix.
