Lando Norris secures pole for Hungarian Grand Prix as Max Verstappen denied again

Lando Norris has secured pole position for Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen missing out on the front row.

Earlier in the campaign, the McLaren driver was able to convert first spot on the grid in Miami to claim his maiden in Formula 1, and he will have the chance to replicate that effort.

In a somewhat chaotic Q3, Norris posted the fastest time - just 0.022 seconds ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri - before a crash involving Yuki Tsunoda brought out the red flag with two minutes and 13 seconds left.

That created a scenario where a number of drivers faced a race against time to get out of the pits and complete a lap to register another time.

Verstappen opted against that option, instead feeling that there was little chance of improving on his time on old tyres, and that proved to the be the correct decision as only Daniel Ricciardo improved from 10th to ninth.

Carlos Sainz Jr was fourth in his Ferrari, over four tenths adrift of Verstappen, while the recent British Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton was fifth.

Charles Leclerc was sixth, with Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Ricciardo and Tsunoda completing the top 10, but George Russell is all the way back in 17th position.

Q3 CLASSIFICATION 🏁

Elation for McLaren, redemption for Aston Martin and disappointment for RB#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/IEBJEGXq70

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 20, 2024

What did Norris have to say?

Speaking afterwards, Norris said: "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."

Norris goes into the race sitting 84 points adrift of Verstappen in the Drivers' Standings.