Max third in GP Hungary qualifying: 'Feel like we are chasing'

Published on 20 July 2024 by Florence Cobben

Max Verstappen has qualified third for the Hungarian Grand Prix. In a unpredictable qualifying visited by two red flags, the reigning world champion came 46-thousandths short of pole position. Both McLaren drivers will start from the front row tomorrow, with Lando Norris on pole and Oscar Piastri in second. 

"I tried. The whole weekend we were a little bit behind, and that was also the case in qualifying. I tried to make it as close as possible, but unfortunately (it) was just not enough. I don’t know why that is - I would have liked more grip, but it’s not there at the moment. But victory is still very close. I just hope tomorrow the car is good in the race, we can follow them, and see what we can do."

Doesn't he like the competition he's receiving? "I love competition, but I would like to be on top of the competition. At the moment I feel like we are chasing, and having a few more difficult weekends."

What about the updates to the car? "For sure they work. But we're still not first, right? I think looking back at my qualifying I was very happy with my laps, but balance-wise everything is on the edge. I'm pushing as hard as I can, and then ofcourse you have little moments here and there. I feel like I'm pushing harder than I did last year. But, it's just not coming anymore, these great lap times. I guess this means that we are a bit slower. So we have work to do."

This morning was visited by clouds and incremental rain. Still, all drivers take to the dried-up track on softs. The threat of rain hangs in the air, motivating everyone to set their best lap right away. In Q1, Max's first time falls seven-tenths behind Lewis Hamilton. Logan Sargeant drives a fantastic lap into fifth place, but then crashes out into the wall shortly after. While he walks away unscatched from the accident, the session is still delayed by a red flag. Once the session resumes, Sergio Perez, Max's Oracle Red Bull Racing teammate, loses control of his car and crashes into the tyre stacks. He is alright and walks away from the car in one piece.

Ten minutes later the track is green lit and Q1 is resumed for six more minutes. Almost everyone takes to the track, and the lap times start flying. Max improves his time and clinches third, setting the same time as Lewis Hamilton in second. Daniel Ricciardo delivers and tops the timesheets with an impressive 1:17.0, claiming P1 in Q1. The drivers exiting stage left are Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Zhou Guanyu and Sergio Perez. 

Q2 proceeds without a drop of rain, and the track gets faster and faster. Carlos Sainz, on used tyres, sets a 1:17.0 time. In Max's first lap he sets a 1:15.7 timd. Oscar Piastri is the only one who comes close to Max's time, driving a lap only 15-thousandths behind the reigning world champion. 

In the closing stages of Q2, traffic in the pitlane is intense. All drivers want to head out as late as possible, to benefit from optimal track conditions. Lando Norris sets a new time: two-tenths faster than Max, who doesn't manage to improve on his own time. The fight out of the elimination zone is more interesting: Lewis Hamilton manages to barely steer clear of an early exit, setting a lap just a hundreth faster than Nico Hulkenberg and 77-thousandths faster than Valtteri Bottas. Together with Alexander Albon, Logan Sargeant and Kevin Magnussen, the five drivers don't proceed to Q3. 

Q3 starts with a threat of rain halfway through the session, meaning all the drivers are on borrowed time. Max goes first and fast, setting a lap time of 1:15.5. Piastri, Leclerc, Hamilton and Sainz try to take the fight to him but ultimately fall short. When it's Norris' turn, he manages to improve on Max's time by three-tenths. 

The teams scramble to get in a second run. Rain is coming and some turns of the track are already being dappled with raindrops. Piastri goes first: he is 22-thousandths slower than teammate Norris and claims second place. Max also improves on his time, but not his position. He is 46-thousandths away from P1. Seconds later the session is brought to a halt by a crash. Yuki Tsunoda emerges from the wreck of the car safe and sound. 

With just two minutes on the clock, the session is resumed. Max has already left; given he has no new tyres, there is no point in taking his car for another outing. In the end, no one improves their times bar Ricciardo, who is promoted from P10 to P9. Norris collects his fourth carrier pole. McLaren teammate Piastri will start next to the Brit on the front row, with Max right behind him in P3. 

Contest Hungarian GP: win a by Max Verstappen signed Verstappen.com Racing cap!

Results qualifying Hungary: