Hold onto your helmets as the Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying delivers shocks and surprises under a cloudy Budapest sky.
- McLaren claims the spotlight with an impressive front-row lockout, pushing past their previous season’s performance.
- Sergio Perez finds trouble again in Q1, crashing out amid slick conditions, making a tough weekend for Red Bull.
- Aston Martin edges forward with Fernando Alonso’s positive performance, despite earlier struggles with car balance.
- Liam Lawson is eyeing a chance, benefiting from others’ missteps, while George Russell and Alpine face challenges.
A whirlwind of events marked the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying, leaving fans both thrilled and on edge. McLaren executed a flawless strategy, achieving a front-row lockout, a notable feat since their last in 2012. Lando Norris narrowly outran teammate Oscar Piastri, with both drivers giving Max Verstappen a run for his money, their times separated by a mere 0.046 seconds.
Sergio Perez’s woes continued, crashing out in Q1 as the track’s greasy conditions mirrored his struggles at Silverstone. According to Christian Horner, Perez has been “overthinking things,” a mindset that’s proving costly for the Red Bull driver. A red flag incident compounded his difficulties, echoing a need for results come race day.
Aston Martin’s efforts seemed to pay dividends, with Fernando Alonso reaching the top ten. “We have to be pleased with seventh and eighth positions today,” he stated, acknowledging the effectiveness of recent upgrades despite initial hesitation about the car’s balance.
Liam Lawson remains an eager understudy, eyeing future opportunities as he witnesses his contemporaries falter. In contrast, George Russell found himself unexpectedly out of the running early, with Mercedes grappling with unforeseen session complications. Russell candidly admitted, “It’s on me,” after being unable to capitalize on changing track conditions.
Alpine’s strategy backfired dramatically. The team chose not to send their drivers back on the track following Perez’s crash, anticipating worsening rain conditions that never materialized. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly now face a daunting task starting from the back of the grid.
In an unpredictable qualifying session, the Hungarian GP set the stage for an exciting race, with McLaren shining and others facing uphill battles.
