According to Gazzetta Motori, McLaren driver Lando Norris secured the first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, edging out Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by just 12 millesimi during the July 26, 2026 qualifying session. The 70-lap race starts at 15:00 local time, broadcast live on Sky Sport F1 and streaming on Now, with a delayed free-to-air broadcast on TV8 at 18:00.
Qualifying Results and Grid Penalties at the Hungaroring
Lando Norris claimed pole position for McLaren with a top qualifying time on the 4,309-meter Budapest circuit. According to Gazzetta Motori, Lewis Hamilton finished second in Q3 for Ferrari but dropped three grid positions to fifth after stewards penalized him for impeding Oscar Piastri’s fast lap. Charles Leclerc qualified third and inherits a front-row start alongside Norris, lining up in the second slot for Ferrari.
World championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured the fourth-fastest time for Mercedes but dropped to seventh on the grid due to a three-place penalty for failing to sufficiently lift off the throttle under yellow flags. The yellow flags waved following a spin by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the final turn of his final lap. Consequently, Piastri and Verstappen advanced to third and fourth on the starting grid, respectively.
Pro Tip: Due to the tight and twisty nature of the Hungaroring—often compared to a kart circuit with 14 corners and limited overtaking opportunities outside the main straight—track position at the start is vital for race strategy.
Midfield Battles and Team Standings Ahead of Round 11
Mercedes driver George Russell qualified seventh in Q3 but suffered a motor failure that left him stranded on track, though penalties ahead of him elevate the British driver to sixth on the grid. Behind him, Isack Hadjar qualified eighth for Red Bull, Arvid Lindblad took ninth for Racing Bulls, and Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top ten for Audi, as reported by Gazzetta Motori.
Further down the grid, Fernando Alonso advanced to Q2 for the first time this season with Aston Martin, while Carlos Sainz exited in Q1 with Williams. Entering the eleventh round of the 2026 season, Andrea Kimi Antonelli holds a 45-point lead in the drivers’ standings over Lewis Hamilton, with Russell 50 points behind and Leclerc trailing by 78 points. In the constructors’ championship, Mercedes leads Ferrari by 73 points.
TV Schedule and Broadcast Details for the Hungarian Grand Prix
Fans can watch the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix live through official subscription platforms or catch delayed coverage on free-to-air television. Sky Sport F1 (channel 207) and the Now streaming service provide live coverage of the 70-lap race starting at 15:00. TV8 airs a delayed broadcast of the race at 18:00 on Sunday, July 26, 2026. Supporting events include the F3 Feature Race at 08:40, the Porsche Supercup at 10:10, and the F2 Feature Race at 11:25.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won pole position for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix?
According to Gazzetta Motori, McLaren’s Lando Norris took pole position.
Why was Lewis Hamilton penalized?
Stewards handed Hamilton a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri during a fast lap in qualifying.
Where can I watch the race live?
The race is broadcast live on Sky Sport F1 and streaming on Now, with a delayed broadcast on TV8.
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