Hungarian Grand Prix: Lando Norris cautious despite pole as qualifying ‘falls apart’ for Lewis Hamilton
For all that Ferrari have been fast, Norris and McLaren have additionally seemed in good condition all weekend. And, a minimum of on this circuit, they’ve vaulted proper to the entrance, right into a place that had been acquainted for the previous two seasons however not so in 2026.
While sat with Ferrari’s Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Norris mentioned: “I knew the pace was certainly there. It has been all weekend. Even though these guys have been insanely fast, I knew I’d been driving very well, I’d been consistent, and I knew the car had potential.
“We additionally had the upgrades this weekend, and it does not really feel that totally different, nevertheless it actually appears to be going somewhat bit faster, and that is all the time an excellent factor.”
Overtaking is expected to be especially difficult around the Hungarian Ring this year.
In Miami an excess of caution on McLaren’s part about the potential of rain allowed Mercedes to pit Antonelli before Norris and leap into the lead.
Norris’ pole provides an opportunity to make amends for that – if he can keep Leclerc behind on the run to the first corner.
After winning two consecutive constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025, as well as Norris’ drivers’ championship last year, McLaren have not had a great season at the start of this new regulation cycle.
Securing the title against a late-season onslaught from Max Verstappen and Red Bull put them behind on designing this year’s car, and they took some missteps on aerodynamic philosophy that only became fully understood after the first handful of races.
An upgrade package introduced by McLaren this weekend, their first since Miami, is the fruit of work aimed at correcting course, and the first signs are positive.
They have also struggled to get on top of the operation of the new Mercedes engine, feeling for the first time that they were suffering for not being a works partner of a manufacturer.
“It’s simply good to be on pole,” said Norris, who had also shown competitive pace in Belgium last weekend but was denied a good result by a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding the permitted number of engine parts, and then by bad luck with the timing of a safety car.
“I’ve felt good all weekend. The previous few weekends, actually, I felt fairly good and it has been good I continued my good emotions within the automobile.
“I had my money on Ferrari before the weekend and they have been insanely quick, but, come qualifying, we just seemed to take more of a step forward. I knew it was possible and that has been a good feeling – and one that I have missed for quite a while.”
As for his prospects within the race, Norris alluded to robust performances from the Mercedes and Ferrari drivers on the race-simulation runs in Friday follow when he mentioned: “The race pace on others looked very strong. It is always a bit tricky to know how things will go with a new car and new bits.”
Leclerc, although, felt Norris will surely be within the battle, and each have some safety from Hamilton and Antonelli, each demoted by three-place penalties to fifth and seventh respectively.
“Lando seems to be very, very strong, so I’ll say Lando [is favourite]”,” Leclerc said. “But in case you look over the course of the season, Mercedes has all the time been up there, so I don’t doubt that they will all be within the battle as properly.”
