Hungary – Qualifications: Incredible Verstappen

A sky heavy with dark clouds surrounds the Hungaroring for the start of the qualifying session. The air temperature is 24°C and the track temperature is 43°C. The sun continues to warm the track but the raindrops do not seem threatening for the moment.

Q1: Leclerc in the tires, Verstappen untouchable

The two Williams and Stroll’s Racing Point are the first on track. As soon as all the protagonists enter the track, Leclerc takes the advantage over his teammate by 2 tenths with a time of 1:16.337, establishing an initial benchmark as the two Mercedes come between the Ferraris. This didn’t account for Verstappen, who set a new circuit record of 1:15.817, relegating the Monegasque to over half a second behind. Pierre Gasly remains stuck at 9 tenths in 6th place.

Off-track excursion of Charles Leclerc who goes into oversteer at the final corner. He ends up crashing backwards into the tire wall and destroys his wing. Another mistake by the young Ferrari driver, giving his team a race against time to repair his car while he was in the middle of improving his time, ahead of Verstappen.

That was a nasty impact! 😲

Charles Leclerc’s rear wing took a hit, after a spin on Turn 14

He still lies in P2, though #F1 #HungarianGP 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/FJdhkv7fVu

— Formula 1 (@F1) 3 août 2019

At the back of the grid, an impressive performance by Russell who places his Williams in 14th position. In the elimination zone are Kubica, Kvyat, Stroll, Giovinazzi, and Grosjean who nevertheless has the warmth he was hoping for.

He makes up for it on his new attempt with a superb final sector. His time of 1:16.978 puts him in 8th place.

The two Toro Rossos are currently eliminated. Meanwhile, the FIA is inspecting the repair maneuver at Ferrari to ensure everything is done according to the rules.

Russell is still qualified and continues to improve his time, reaching the 9th position with an exceptional time of 1:17.031. The track is rubbering in and improving quickly.

The young Englishman was unfortunately outpaced by the rest of the field, with Hülkenberg taking the 12th fastest time.

Ricciardo is eliminated in 18th position after being hindered by a Racing Point during his speed lap. In front, Magnussen is 4th and his teammate narrowly makes it with a 15th place.

Drivers eliminated from Q1: Kubica, Stroll, Ricciardo, Perez, Russell

Q2: Magnussen out, Grosjean in

From the start of Q2, the Mercedes rush to get back on track with medium tires. Ferrari does the same, as does Red Bull. Charles Leclerc enters the track, his team has managed to repair his car and comply with FIA requirements.

From the first flying lap, Lewis Hamilton lowered the track record to 1:15.548 and set the provisional fastest time ahead of his teammate Bottas. Verstappen positioned himself between the two Mercedes drivers, just 25 thousandths behind the Englishman. The two Ferraris stayed behind Bottas while Gasly closed the top 6, nearly 9 tenths off the reference time. The young Lando Norris slipped in front of the French driver, 5 tenths behind Hamilton.

In the battle for Q3, both Alfa Romeos are in the danger zone, as well as Magnussen and the two Toro Rosso cars. Romain Grosjean improves his time and secures the 8th fastest time on soft tires. His Melbourne aerodynamic package is effective in the Hungarian heat, as demonstrated by the Franco-Swiss driver.

Last attempt for the drivers to reach Q3, and the entire field is back on track. Räikkönen breaks into the top 10, pushing Hülkenberg’s Renault out of a Q3 spot. Magnussen fails to set the required time and is eliminated, as are Giovinazzi and the Toro Rosso cars. No improvement at the top of the timesheets, Gasly drops to 9th but qualifies for Q3.

Drivers eliminated from Q2: Magnussen, Giovinazzi, Kvyat, Albon, Hülkenberg

🏁 Q2 CLASSIFICATION 🏁

Drivers eliminated:

HUL
ALB 📸
KVY
GIO
MAG#F1 #HungarianGP 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/v7Gy2eSiav

— Formula 1 (@F1) 3 août 2019

Q3: Verstappen above the lot

The drivers set off as soon as the clock starts due to the clouds that appear and lower the track temperature.

Hamilton sets an exceptional benchmark time at 1:15.136 ahead of Pierre Gasly at 1:15.538. Then Bottas, previously unseen, takes the lead with a time of 1:15.136. Max Verstappen sets a new lap record, going under the 1:15 mark with a time of 1:14.58. The two Ferraris are 4th and 5th, ahead of Gasly. He is followed closely by nearly a second by McLaren’s Norris and Sainz. Räikkönen and Grosjean complete the provisional top 10.

Big battle on track during this first attempt and everything will be decided in the second and final attempt. Incredible lap record this year, while the previous one from last year was 1:16:276.

Two minutes before the end of the session, the drivers are sent back out on track.

Grosjean improves his time and moves up to 8th place. Ahead, all the drivers are improving except for Pierre Gasly.

Leclerc comes to displace Bottas from 2nd place before the latter regains his position. Vettel stays behind Leclerc. Hamilton positions himself behind the Finn while Verstappen sets the perfect lap at 1:14:572, ending the debates without any possible discussion. First pole position for the Dutchman, in style.

🏁 Q3 CLASSIFICATION 🏁

Here’s how the grid will line up tomorrow 👇#F1 #HungarianGP 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/7OFRaqWrs4

— Formula 1 (@F1) 3 août 2019

From our special correspondent in Hungary