Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc pulled off a stunning upset in Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying by clinching pole position, outpacing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, the current championship leader. Piastri, who had been one of the favorites to top qualifying after strong showings in practice, was surprised to find himself starting second on the grid behind Leclerc. Given McLaren’s dominant pace throughout the weekend, few anticipated that a Ferrari would snatch pole position—especially not with the consistency Piastri and teammate Lando Norris had demonstrated.
During the final qualifying session (Q3), Piastri struggled to replicate his earlier form and blamed shifting wind conditions for his drop-off. The Australian driver highlighted how a sudden change in wind direction between Q2 and Q3 disrupted his rhythm. According to him, the wind reversed course, throwing off his approach to several corners. He admitted that his first lap in Q3 felt poor, and although his second attempt felt smoother, it ended up being slower, leaving him puzzled and frustrated.
Despite the setback, Piastri acknowledged Leclerc’s performance, conceding that the Ferrari driver had been quicker than anticipated throughout the day. He gave credit where it was due, commending Leclerc for his execution in tricky conditions. Piastri noted that even during the final practice, Leclerc had shown strong pace, and though McLaren aimed for a front-row lockout, it simply didn’t pan out as expected.
Leading Lando Norris in the championship by 16 points, Piastri enters the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend with high expectations. However, the shift in conditions and Leclerc’s late surge added an unexpected twist. While disappointed not to claim pole, Piastri remained composed, recognizing that grid position isn’t everything and there’s still a lot to play for in Sunday’s race.
Reflecting on his previous success at the Hungaroring—where he secured his first-ever Formula 1 victory in 2024—Piastri remains hopeful about his chances. Starting second still places him in strong contention, and he expressed confidence about fighting for the win. With the race expected to be closely contested, especially between McLaren and Ferrari, Piastri is focused on delivering a strong performance when it matters most.
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