(Budapest) Lewis Hamilton has earned the Hungarian Grand Prix lead from Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen, who has started the last five races in first place.
Hamilton hadn’t secured a top position since 2021.
The Mercedes driver was only ahead of Verstappen by three thousandths of a second on his last lap.
It earned him a 104th head (a record he extended), but a first since December 2021, in Saudi Arabia.
“The last year and a half has been crazy,” Hamilton said. I didn’t think we would be in a position to fight for the lead. I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight. »
It may not be easy, given the adrenaline rush.
“I had a big smile on my face,” said Hamilton, who has seven Formula 1 titles. “It feels so good to our whole team. I gave absolutely everything in the last lap. »
It was also in Saudi Arabia two years ago that the 38-year-old Englishman bagged his most recent Formula 1 victory, a 103rd.
Lando Norris of McLaren will start third behind Verstappen of Red Bull.
Norris is looking for a second podium in a row, having finished second at the British Grand Prix.
His teammate Oscar Piastri qualified fourth – the same rank he finished at Silverstone.
The Hungaroring was the scene of Hamilton’s first win with Mercedes in 2013.
Verstappen was limited by a lack of grip in an unbalanced car.
“At this point we haven’t had the desired results with the car we have,” he summed up.
Last year, he triumphed on this track despite a 10th place at the start.
Verstappen is heading for a third successive Formula 1 title, on the heels of six victories in a row.
He has a 99-point cushion ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, who will start ninth.
Since his top spot in Miami in May, Perez hadn’t qualified in the top 10 once at the start, securing the 16th, 11th, 12th, 15th and 15th spots there.
Canadian Lance Stroll will start 14th alongside Aston Martin.
