Hungarian Grand Prix: George Russell claims maiden pole as Max Verstappen unleashes

The radio waves turned blue as Max Verstappen’s car failed him in the late stages of qualifying in Hungary, but as he bemoaned his car failure, there was a special moment for a pole debutant.

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia driving the (3) McLaren

The radio waves turned blue as Max Verstappen’s car failed him in the late stages of qualifying in Hungary, but as he bemoaned his car failure, there was a special moment for a pole debutant.

George Russell will start from the front for the first time in his F1 career on Sunday after an incredible final lap at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

“Over the moon; absolutely buzzing, Russell said afterwards. “My lap time just kept coming; kept coming. We’re going to be absolutely going for it.

“That was an incredible feeling.”

Russell’s blistering time came just as Ferrari looked to have secured a front row lockout but Charles Leclerc was bumped to the second row as the British driver - the most consistent on the grid this year - came through to beat Carlos Sainz by 0.044 seconds.

McLaren's Lando Norris claimed fourth sport with Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso set to start behind him.

Former teammates Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas make up the fourth row with Daniel Ricciardo set to start alongside Verstappen.

With just minutes left in the final session, Verstappen reported a lack of power over the radio.

“Code 2-1,” he was told by his engineer.

When that failed to make a difference, Verstappen unleashed.

“Nothing works. F***, why cant we f***ing make this work,” he said.

The Dutchman is the reigning world champion and leads the current championship by 63 points after 13 rounds.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing

MERCEDES BOUNCE BACK

After months of struggles with bouncing and ‘porpoising’ problems, Mercedes have reeled off five successive podium finishes and, at last, found their qualifying pace with Russell delivering pole in his 73rd Grand Prix.

“Yesterday was probably our worst Friday of the season and last night everyone worked so hard. We were still here at 11 pm and not sure what direction to go in.

“To come back 24 hours later and take pole, it’s amazing. I don’t know (if Mercedes are back) to be honest as we need to look at and understand where that lap came from - there’s a few ideas we had.

“Generally, we have had good race pace, but here the Ferraris looked very fast on Friday. We are going to be absolutely going for it, we want to win... But either way, this is a pretty special day.”

Mercedes' British driver George Russell

Russell’s pole was also Mercedes’s first since last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, suggesting that the team may finally have overcome their struggles with the new ‘ground effect’ aerodynamic regulations this season.

Team chief Toto Wolff welcomed the team’s return to form in qualifying and suggested that the ‘silver arrows’ are back in contention for race wins and pushing to challenge again in the championships.

This is a solid result for us,” he said. “We were always off the pace on a single lap and now we are on pole so let’s see what we can do tomorrow. If we have the pace, then I feel like we are in the fun and games at the front again!” He warned against over-expectation and said he was sorry Hamilton was unable to join Russell on the front row.

“We saw our tyres were in the right window and the car was balanced from the start of qualifying and they both drove extremely well, gained confidence and this is the result.

“In this moment, you want to cry with joy for pole position, but equally you know the car was also good enough for Lewis to be there as well. So that is very bitter-sweet.”