Norris takes Hungary pole as Mercedes domination ends

(Corrects last year's pole-sitter to runner-up in para 8)

By Alan Baldwin

BUDAPEST, July 25 : Formula One world champion Lando Norris put McLaren on pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday to end Mercedes' qualifying domination.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, chasing his first pole since Hungary 2023, missed out by a mere 0.012 seconds after Norris's last lap effort and was then demoted three places by stewards for impeding Norris's teammate Oscar Piastri.

That lifted Ferrari's Charles Leclerc from third to the front row.

Mercedes Formula One leader Kimi Antonelli, fourth at the chequered flag, would have moved up to third place but he was also handed a three-place drop for speeding while yellow warning flags were waved and is set to start seventh.

It was the first time this season, in the 11th round, that Mercedes had not secured pole for a grand prix.

MCLAREN BENEFIT FROM CAR UPGRADES

"Very happy to be back on top," said Norris, last year's winner in Hungary who now has a strong chance of repeating the feat at a circuit where overtaking is expected to be tricky with the new era of engines.

"It's been tight the whole weekend but we seemed quick from the first laps we did and we brought a few upgrades. I’m in the best position for the start. But these guys (Ferrari) get good starts and have been fast all season."

Leclerc, who won at Silverstone and was second in Belgium last weekend, will be the immediate threat to Norris, with last year's runner-up Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen on the row behind with Hamilton fifth.

Antonelli, the championship leader with six wins and 45 points clear of closest rival Hamilton, will now be behind teammate George Russell, who starts sixth.

Hamilton, chasing a record-stretching 10th