Max Verstappen experienced a difficult qualifying session in Budapest on Saturday for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Dutchman barely made it to Q3, where he clocked the eighth fastest time. Charles Leclerc surprisingly took pole position.
Verstappen ultimately conceded ‘only’ three tenths to Leclerc’s surprising pole. The differences were particularly small in the final phase of Q3. Oscar Piastri finished two hundredths behind Leclerc, who took his first pole of the year, in second place. Lando Norris completed the top three.
For the 27-year-old Verstappen, his eighth place was his worst qualifying of the season. Until Saturday, his worst qualifying was a seventh place at the Austrian Grand Prix and at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
George Russell finished fourth. Aston Martin drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll surprised with fifth and sixth place. Gabriel Bortoleto (seventh) also starts the Hungarian Grand Prix ahead of Verstappen.
Verstappen struggles in all sessions
Verstappen’s eighth time did not come as a surprise. He had difficulties in all free practice sessions at the Hungaroring. In qualifying, he barely managed to get through Q1 and Q2. “Even in my outlap it feels like I’m driving on ice,” Verstappen grumbled on the pit radio in the final phase of Q3.
Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda also had a hard time and stranded, not for the first time this year, in Q1. Lewis Hamilton also had a poor qualifying session and had to settle for twelfth place.
Verstappen announced on Thursday that he will also drive for Red Bull next year. Despite a continuing contract, he was of particular interest to Mercedes. The Hungarian Grand Prix starts on Sunday at 3:00 PM.