Russell stuns with pole breakthrough in Hungary

Britain's George Russell seized the first pole position of his Formula One career with a stunning qualifying lap in Hungary on Saturday (Jul 30) as Mercedes found surprising speed and swept past fancied Ferrari.

Russell, nicknamed 'Mr Saturday' when he was at lowly Williams for his qualifying performances, hit the sweet spot just when it mattered most to set up a real chance of a first win on Sunday.

"We’ll be absolutely going for it. Victory is what we’re going for," he said.

With Red Bull's runaway championship leader Max Verstappen suffering late power problems that left the Dutchman 10th on the grid, the Ferrari drivers had looked set to sweep the front row.

Carlos Sainz had taken provisional pole for the Italian team and Charles Leclerc then went second fastest with his last flying lap before Russell, behind them, changed everything.

"Yesterday was probably our worst Friday of the season," said Russell, who was "absolutely buzzing" on a special day for the 24-year-old and the reigning champions who had not been on pole since last season.

"Everybody last night was working so hard, we didn't really know what direction to go in.

"Then that last lap, I got round turn one, mega turn one... turn two was mega and the lap time just kept on coming. I came across the line, looked at the screen and saw we went P1 and that was an incredible feeling."

Russell was second fastest after the first flying laps, but nearly half a second down on Sainz who ended up as surprised as anyone.

Asked if Mercedes were back in business, Russell said laughing: "I don't know. We need to look into it and understand where that came from today. There's a few ideas we have."

HAMILTON PROBLEM

Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, winner a record eight times