Sat Aug 02 15:10:00 UTC 2025: **Leclerc Stuns with Unexpected Pole in Hungary; McLaren Locks Out Second Row**
**Hungaroring, Hungary** – Charles Leclerc delivered a stunning performance at the Hungaroring, securing an unexpected pole position for Ferrari in a qualifying session plagued by unpredictable wind conditions. The Monegasque driver clocked a time of 1:15.372, edging out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by a mere 0.026 seconds.
Piastri, who will start second, admitted being surprised by Ferrari’s pace, particularly Leclerc’s. He noted the dramatic shift in wind direction between Q1 and Q3 made for tricky conditions, impacting his lap times.
McLaren teammate Lando Norris will start third, sharing the second row with Mercedes’ George Russell, who put in a solid performance to qualify fourth. Norris acknowledged Leclerc’s strong final lap and attributed some of McLaren’s struggles to the changing wind, saying he felt it “punished us in a bigger way.”
Aston Martin also showed strong pace, with Fernando Alonso starting fifth. Red Bull, in contrast, struggled, with Max Verstappen surprisingly further down the grid.
Leclerc himself expressed disbelief at securing pole, calling it “one of the best pole positions I’ve ever had because it’s the most unexpected for sure.” He emphasized the importance of a strong start and Turn One for maintaining his lead in tomorrow’s race.
The race tomorrow promises to be exciting with Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin all showing strong pace.
First Piper 