McLaren in best place for Hungarian Grand Prix win, says Norris

By Sports Desk July 20, 2024

Lando Norris is expecting to secure a second-ever Formula One victory after claiming his third career pole at the Hungaroring on Saturday. 

Norris edged out team-mate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen as McLaren claimed their first lock-out in qualifying since the British Grand Prix in 2012. 

McLaren now have the opportunity to reach 10 or more podiums for the first time since 2012 (13), with Norris also presented the chance to equal Denny Hulme as the driver with the eighth most podiums in the history of the British team.

Norris beat Piastri to pole position by 0.022 seconds with Verstappen 0.046 back in a session that featured two red flags and changing weather conditions. 

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton will have to achieve a record 200th podium from fifth place, while Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc will start fourth and sixth respectively. 

“I am very very happy, not an easy qualifying, different conditions, always ending up on top, it’s the best part of it all," Norris said.

“I’m happy especially for the team, a one-two is even better to see so congrats to the team.

“We are in the best position for whatever the conditions throw at us, I’m looking forward to it. Two cars on the front row, we can control it from there so as long as we stay where we are, we will be happy.

“I’m expecting to [do well], if I don’t it’s not been a good day. The car is doing well, I feel like I’m driving well so it’s obvious what the aim is for tomorrow."

Aston Martin duo Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finished seventh and eighth respectively, with RB's Daniel Ricciardo finishing a place behind. 

Yuki Tsunoda completed the top 10 but sustained a heavy crash in the final qualifying session.

Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez endured another difficult time out on track, crashing out in the first qualifying session and will start 16th on the grid. 

George Russell will also start towards the back of the grid after he and the Mercedes team were unable to recover from a poor opening wet-dry session. 

Top 10

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

7.  Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

8.  Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

9.  Daniel Ricciardo (RB) 

10. Yuki Tsunoda (RB)

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