Charles Leclerc Seizes Surprise Pole at Hungarian Grand Prix as Wind Shifts Upset McLaren’s Form

Charles Leclerc produced one of the most surprising performances of the 2025 Formula 1 season, grabbing pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix in a qualifying session defined by changing conditions and unexpected outcomes.

Ferrari’s Leclerc clocked a stunning 1:15.372 in the dying moments of Q3 to edge out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by just 0.026 seconds, while Lando Norris had to settle for third, only 0.041s off the pole time. The result marks Leclerc’s 27th career pole and Ferrari’s first of the 2025 season.

The session began with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen setting the early benchmark in Q1 with a time of 1:16.346, but that was quickly eclipsed by McLaren’s pace-setters. Piastri took command with a 1:15.211 lap, followed closely by a resurgent Fernando Alonso for Aston Martin and Racing Bulls’ rookie Isack Hadjar. Norris was fourth in Q1, with Leclerc slotting into fifth as Ferrari cautiously progressed through the opening phase.

However, it wasn’t smooth sailing for everyone. Verstappen’s early lap proved insufficient, and although he briefly returned to the top 10 with a late flyer, faster times from rivals saw him fall back to 11th. Red Bull’s woes were compounded as Yuki Tsunoda dropped to 16th, joining Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Nico Hülkenberg, and Alexander Albon in the Q1 elimination zone.

Heading into Q2, a few light raindrops around Turn 6 introduced urgency into proceedings. Cars rushed onto the track, fearing deteriorating conditions. Norris delivered an impressive lap of 1:14.890 to top the timesheets, with Piastri just behind. Alonso again showed strong form in third, while Leclerc struggled in tenth after the initial runs.

With the clock ticking, the Monegasque driver managed to find just enough grip and performance to jump up to sixth, ensuring Ferrari’s spot in the final shootout. The session spelled the end of qualifying for Haas rookie Ollie Bearman, Mercedes veteran Lewis Hamilton, Williams’ Carlos Sainz, Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli.

Q3 looked set to deliver a tight duel between the two McLarens. Piastri struck first with a 1:15.398, taking provisional pole by 0.096 seconds from Norris. George Russell slotted into third for Mercedes. But just as the final laps began, a sudden shift in wind direction changed the equation. McLaren, which had dominated the earlier segments, couldn’t adapt quickly enough. Leclerc, however, nailed a nearly flawless final run, threading his Ferrari around the twisting Hungaroring to clock 1:15.372 — a time good enough for a sensational pole.

Speaking after the session, a visibly stunned Leclerc admitted the team hadn’t expected such a result.
“Today, I don’t understand anything in Formula 1,” he said. “It was extremely difficult just to get into Q2, then Q3. When the wind changed, everything became more complicated, but I knew I had to put in a clean lap and target P3. At the end, it’s pole. I really didn’t expect that.”

Behind the front three, Russell maintained fourth ahead of Alonso in fifth and Lance Stroll in sixth. Gabriel Bortoleto impressed again for Sauber with P7, while Verstappen could only manage eighth for Red Bull. Racing Bulls teammates Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar rounded out the top ten.

With Piastri and Norris both missing out on what had seemed a likely front-row lockout, Sunday’s race promises fireworks. Verstappen’s lowly eighth-place start adds further unpredictability, especially as Ferrari look to convert pole into their first win of the season.

Hungarian Grand Prix – Top 10 Qualifying Results: