Norris takes pole for Hungarian Grand Prix

Lando Norris will start from pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking his 17th career pole and the first this season not claimed by Mercedes. The McLaren driver's time of 1 minute, 17.207 seconds in the final qualifying round edged out compatriot Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari by just 12 thousandths of a second.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc qualified third, with Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli in fourth. The second McLaren of Oscar Piastri and four-time world champion Max Verstappen will start from the third row, with Verstappen having spun his Red Bull during his final run. Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso will start further back, in 18th and 16th positions respectively.

Alonso, driving for Aston Martin, achieved his first Q2 appearance of the season at the Hungaroring, the circuit where he secured his first Formula One victory nearly 23 years ago. The veteran driver, nearing 45, benefited from early aerodynamic upgrades to his Aston Martin car, outperforming teammate Lance Stroll and other competitors.

Argentine Franco Colapinto will start 13th for Alpine, while Mexican Sergio Pérez will begin from the back of the grid in 22nd. This race is the final event before the summer break, with the season resuming in late August at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.

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The form in which Norris surprised the Ferraris, who had entered strongly on the circuit outside the beautiful Hungarian capital.