Max sixth in Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying: 'Absolutely useless'

Published on 25 July 2026 by Kees-Jan Koster

Max Verstappen qualified sixth for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Oracle Red Bull Racing driver spun on his final flying lap at the last corner, leaving him to settle for sixth on the grid. His time of 1:17.725 was ultimately half a second slower than Lando Norris, who claimed his first pole position of the season for McLaren. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc qualified second and third respectively.

After the session, a visibly frustrated Verstappen said:  "The whole qualifying session was bad for me. Between the third practice session and qualifying we have lost downforce, and it just kept getting worse throughout qualifying. It is absolutely useless."

Asked about the cause of the problems, Max could offer little explanation: "There is always something else that is not working or that's broken. I have had enough of this qualifying session. They can see something has gone wrong with the aerodynamics, which caused us to lose downforce, and the car is completely undriveable because of it."

According to Verstappen, the spin was also a consequence of the lack of downforce: "You turn into the corner and the rear just snaps away. If you take wing off the car you get understeer, and if you add wing it just breaks away like that. It is impossible to drive."

Asked about his prospects for the race, Verstappen simply replied: "We will see tomorrow."

Qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix got underway under bright sunshine with an ambient temperature of 27°C. Ferrari opted to send both cars out on the medium compound tyres, setting the first representative lap times. Verstappen, meanwhile, completed his opening flying lap on the soft tyres. His 1:18.656 briefly put him at the top of the timesheets before Lando Norris went faster. Verstappen attempted a second run in Q1 but was unable to improve. Nevertheless, third place was comfortably enough to progress to Q2. Eliminated in Q1 were Oliver Bearman (17th), Carlos Sainz (18th), Alexander Albon (19th), Lance Stroll (20th), while the two Cadillacs of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez filled the back row of the grid.

Fernando Alonso was first out on track in Q2. Aston Martin had introduced a significant upgrade package for the weekend, which appeared to pay off, as the Spaniard reached the second qualifying segment for the first time this season. Verstappen's opening lap of 1:18.249 put him fastest. Team-mate Isack Hadjar spun on the exit of Turn 12 but was able to continue. Verstappen completed another run but again failed to improve, although sixth place comfortably secured his place in Q3. Norris once again topped the session. Knocked out in Q2 were Liam Lawson (11th), Pierre Gasly (12th), Franco Colapinto (13th), Gabriel Bortoleto (14th), Esteban Ocon (15th) and Fernando Alonso (16th).

Verstappen's first flying lap in Q3 produced a 1:17.725, leaving him sixth, half a second adrift of Lewis Hamilton, who was quickest at that stage. With three minutes remaining, all the drivers headed out for their final attempts. Verstappen was not on course to improve and spun at the final corner. Although he managed to continue, any chance of setting a quicker lap had gone.

After the chequered flag, George Russell was instructed over the team radio to stop his car on track, while reigning World Champion Lando Norris edged ahead of Hamilton's time to claim his first pole position of the season. It also marked the first time this year that a Mercedes-powered car had not started from pole. Hamilton finished just 0.012 seconds slower in second place, although he impeded Oscar Piastri during the Australian's final flying lap and could still face a grid penalty. Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc secured third. Kimi Antonelli qualified fourth, ahead of Oscar Piastri in fifth. Verstappen will start from sixth on the grid, followed by George Russell in seventh. Isack Hadjar, Arvid Lindblad and Nico Hülkenberg completed the top ten.

Just over an hour and a half after qualifying, the FIA confirmed that Hamilton has been handed a grid penalty for impeding Piastri. The British Ferrari driver has been demoted three places on the grid and will now start fifth. As a result, Leclerc moves up to the front row, with Antonelli and Piastri lining up on the second row of the grid.

Results qualifying Hungary: