In a stunning display of speed and strategy, McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked out the front row at the Hungarian Grand Prix, outpacing Formula One leader Max Verstappen during a thrilling qualifying session on Saturday.
Norris clinched his third career pole position, setting the stage for a potential second victory of the season following his triumph in Miami last May. His teammate Piastri secured the second spot, promising an intense showdown as both aim to climb the podium.
\"We've come into this weekend, and the last few, confident we can fight for pole,\" Norris remarked. \"We are in the best position for whatever the conditions throw at us.\"
The Hungarian Grand Prix marks the beginning of the second half of the season, anticipated to be fiercely competitive. Despite starting third on the grid, Verstappen has a history of strong performances at the Hungaroring, having won the race in 2022 after starting from tenth.
Verstappen acknowledged McLaren's formidable challenge, stating, \"McLaren is providing Red Bull with its stiffest test of the past three seasons.\" He also reflected on his qualifying performance, expressing his desire to lead the competition.
This qualifying session marked McLaren's first one-two finish in twelve years, a testament to the team's dedication and skill. Piastri emphasized the team's collaborative spirit, saying, \"We want to keep it one-two and we will fight it amongst ourselves to see who gets one.\"
As the race approaches, all eyes will be on McLaren to see if Norris and Piastri can convert their qualifying success into race-day victories, setting the tone for the remainder of the championship.
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Norris takes pole ahead of McLaren teammate Piastri at Hungarian GP
cgtn.com