F1 Hungarian Grand Prix 2024 Qualifying Review: Norris leads a McLaren 1-2 qualifying session

It was a third career pole for McLaren’s Lando Norris as the Woking-based team made it a one-two at the Hungarian Grand Prix 2024, with reigning world champion Max Verstappen managing only a third place start.

Norris, who topped the final practice session, put in a stunning first run in Q3 to take pole with Verstappen not being able to match his title rival. It was an eventful qualifying session, which saw two Red Flags and a couple of surprising results.

Here’s a quick recap of the Hungarian Grand Prix 2024 qualifying session.

Q1 – Two big names knocked out

It was Lewis Hamilton’s first run that set the benchmark for the grid, with the seven-time World Champion putting up a lap time of 1:17:087, a tenth clear of Carlos Sainz’s first run. Williams’ Logan Sargeant meanwhile had a big moment at Turn 1 and locked up and went into the wall. 

Sergio Pérez brought out the Red Flag with just under seven minutes to go as the Red Bull driver lost his rear and crashed into the wall at Turn 8. With the action resuming, it was VCARB’s Daniel Ricciardo moving up to the top of the timesheets while Valterri Bottas knocked out George Russell while Kevin Magnussen sent Sergio Pérez out in Q1 as well. Bottas’ teammate Guanyu Zhou and the two Alpines of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were also knocked out.

Drivers eliminated in Q1 –

Sergio Pérez
George Russell
Guanyu Zhou
Esteban Ocon
Pierre Gasly

Q2 – Hamilton survives by the skin of his teeth

Carlos Sainz set the benchmark for the second session of qualifying before Max Verstappen went on top with a 1:15:770. Lando Norris put his McLaren on top, going two-tenths quicker than Verstappen while Piastri was 0.015s behind the Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton scraped through to Q3 by the skin of his teeth as Nico Hülkenberg was 0.010seconds down on the Brit. Hamilton’s former teammate, Bottas, the two Williams of Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant and Kevin Magnussen were knocked out in Q2.

Drivers eliminated in Q2 –

Nico Hülkenberg
Valterri Bottas
Alexander Albon
Logan Sargeant
Kevin Magnussen

Q3- Norris unstoppable as Verstappen concedes

Max Verstappen’s 1:15:555 set the task for the rest of the grid, with Piastri, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton failing to come close to the reigning World Champion. Lando Norris’ first run though, took provision pole, going three-tenths quicker than Verstappen, putting in a stunning lap. 

Verstappen failed to match Norris’ time, which meant Norris held on to his pole, while his teammate Oscar Piastri was 0.022s behind in second place. Yuki Tsunoda had a big crash with just over two minutes to go, bringing out the Red Flag for a second time during the qualifying session. While most of the remaining cars came out post resumption of the session, Verstappen sat out, which meant Lando Norris held on to his pole position with his teammate Oscar Piastri making it a one-two for McLaren.

Starting Grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix 2024 (prior to any penalties)

1. Lando Norris
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Max Verstappen
4. Carlos Sainz
5. Lewis Hamilton
6. Charles Leclerc
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Lance Stroll
9. Daniel Ricciardo
10. Yuki Tsunoda
11. Nico Hülkenberg
12. Valterri Bottas
13. Alexander Albon
14. Logan Sargeant
15. Kevin Magnussen
16. Sergio Pérez
17. George Russell
18. Guanyu Zhou
19. Esteban Ocon
20. Pierre Gasly