Norris snatches pole from Hamilton at Hungarian Grand Prix
Lando Norris secured pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix, narrowly beating Lewis Hamilton in qualifying. Hamilton was later penalized for impeding another driver, shifting the grid positions for the upcoming race.
Why it matters
Formula 1 is a major global sport, and grid penalties significantly influence the competitive landscape of the championship standings.
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain drives in the pit lane during a qualifying session ahead of the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix auto race, at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, near Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Attila Kisbenedek/Pool Photo via AP) MOGYOROD, Hungary — Defending Formula 1 champion Lando Norris took his first pole position of 2026 when he snatched it from Lewis Hamilton by just 0.012 of a second at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday.
Hamilton was on course for a record-extending 105th pole position, and first in a full grand prix since Hungary in 2023, before Norris darted through to take it away. Then a penalty dropped Hamilton to fifth.
“It’s been a while,” Norris said. “I felt confident all weekend.”
Norris felt he could easily have gone much faster if he'd had time for another run to iron out mistakes.
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