Max eighth after Hungary qualifying: 'Lucky to be in the top ten'

Published on 02 August 2025 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen has qualified in eighth position for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc claimed a surprising pole position at the Hungaroring, stunning the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who line up in second and third.

“If you look at the whole weekend, we’re lucky we’re in the top ten. All weekend, we’ve not had any grip and it was the same in qualifying. So this isn’t a shock”, said Max. “If we knew what the problem was, we would’ve made changes. For some reason, none of the changes work. Sometimes you have a balance that isn’t great, but now I just have zero grip. I can’t attack the corners and I can’t go on the throttle. Nothing worked.”

Ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix, Max said: “Maybe there’s a few cars in front to have a fight with. But Lewis will be coming from the back as well. I’m not confident things will improve tomorrow. I have no grip, so I’m sliding a lot, which adds to the tyre degradation.”

At the start of the session, all eyes are peeled on the sky and the weather radar as rain clouds approach the Hungaroring, which could potentially affect qualifying. Alex Albon is the first driver to take to the track and clock a time, quickly followed by the nineteen other drivers. Halfway during the session, Piastri leads, with Max eight tenths adrift in thirteenth. The Dutchman clocks a better lap on his second attempt, half a second slower than pace setter Piastri, but it’s enough for Max to progress to Q2, albeit in P11.

Meanwhile, Oracle Red Bull Racing teammate Yuki Tsunoda is only a tenth and a half off the reigning champion, but does find himself in the bottom five of the timing sheets, meaning qualifying ends early for the Japanese driver. Pierre Gasly (Alpine), Esteban Ocon (Haas), Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) and Alex Albon (Williams) also strand in the first part of qualifying.

The start of Q2 is slightly delayed as the marshals make sure the track is in optimal condition by sweeping any gravel off the circuit. When the session does start, rain drops have start falling. Apart from a light drizzle in turns one and five, a proper shower is avoided, meaning the drivers continue to lap on slicks.

Max progresses in eighth, but this time he is more than eight tenths slower than Norris at the front. Meanwhile, Bearman (Haas), Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), Carlos Sainz (Williams), Franco Colapinto (Alpine) and Antonelli Mercedes miss out on the top ten shootout.

Q3 starts with both Aston Martins heading out to put in their banker laps. Stroll opens with a 1:16.6, quickly followed by Alonso’s 1:16.0, continuing the trend of the Astons being competitive around the Hungaroring. After the first flurry of flying laps, Piastri is on provisional pole, followed by Norris, Russell and Alonso. Max manages fifth on a set of used soft Pirellis.

In the closing stages of the session, with the track temperatures dropping, McLaren loses top spot with Charles Leclerc claiming his 27th pole position of his Formula 1 career, beating both PIastri and Norris. The Ferrari is quickest, despite the McLarens bettering their first Q3 efforts. Further back, Russell joins Norris on the second row of the grid in fourth. Max has to settle for eighth, three tenths off pole position.

Contest Hungarian GP: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing 2025 cap!

Results qualifying Hungary: