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Max Verstappen has stormed to pole position for the 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix, his first in Formula 1.
Fresh from his win at Hockenheim two weeks ago, Verstappen becomes the 100th pole-sitter in Formula 1 history, taking it at his 93rd F1 entry.
The Dutchman triumphed in a close battle with the two Mercedes, as Valtteri Bottas came out on top against teammate Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen's fastest lap was just 0.018s faster than Bottas' lap, while the Ferraris struggled to keep up after displaying some strong pace in the final practice session this morning.
Ferrari was almost half a second down on Verstappen, as Charles Leclerc got the better of his teammate Sebastian Vettel, with two-hundredths separating the duo.
Leclerc's day almost ended early in Q1 as he spun his car into the barrier at the final corner, causing Ferrari to undergo fixes ahead of the next stage.
Pierre Gasly endured another difficult session, slotting into sixth place, almost nine-tenths down on his Red Bull teammate, who took the team's fourth pole position in the turbo-hybrid era.
McLaren, who has been looking strong in the midfield all weekend, took a seventh and eighth position for the start of Sunday's race.
Romain Grosjean managed to secure himself a top ten finish despite running the old spec Haas car, finishing the session in ninth place ahead of Kimi Raikkonen.
While one Alfa Romeo managed to secure a spot in Q3, the other C38 car, driven by Antonio Giovinazzi, was eliminated in Q2 and is currently under investigation for blocking Lance Stroll in Q1.
Stroll was knocked out in the opening qualifying stage, as was teammate Sergio Perez who was involved in an incident with Daniel Ricciardo as they fought for track position at the final corner when starting their hot laps.
Perez, Ricciardo and Stroll all finished behind George Russell, who qualified 16th - his best Saturday result of the year, while Robert Kubica was P20 and 1.3 seconds down on Russell.
Hungaroring - 03 August 2019
Very impressed with Max. Clearly ready to fight for championships over a season.
Very weak by Lewis. Surprised to see how weak.
Lando once again best of the rest.
Really good run. Incredibly impressive. I kinda think we'll see the same story as with the other races: a kinda bad start with Max getting caught out, but then catching up, maybe even winning. Man, I'd love for them to win here!
I'm genuinely starting to think that Max might be the best driver in F1 right now. Not for the last couple of races, but the last 20. Yes, he's made more mistakes than Hamilton, but Hamilton hasn't been fighting often for any place behinds third. I've felt for a while that Lewis was a bit too comfortable and unchallenged. Seb clearly isn't up to the task and Valeri either. It would be great to see him challenged again like 2007, 2008, 2010.
I have high expectations for tomorrow's race
Completely agree. I believe you and I have generally felt pretty similarly about Max, yet I am slowly beginning to lean towards regarding him as at least top 3, maybe even the current best. Even with the spin in Hockenheim, to perform the way he did, and to perform so consistently as he has this year is no small feat.
Dare we hope for another race what gives us minor heart arrhythmias?
Very impressive laps by Verstappen and Russell today. Bottas and Norris impressed as well. Disappointed by Gasly (again), Magnussen and Ricciardo, and as usual Stroll and Kubica. Kubica was beaten by 1,3 sec by Russell today... honestly he's just outclassed. It will be interesting to see who will get that 2nd seat at Red Bull next year, right now it seems a certainty that Gasly won't be there, and surprisingly I agree with Villeneuve that Kvyat and Albon are not viable options. I'm thinking perhaps Bottas, if Mercedes puts Ocon in his seat.
I disagree about Kvyat, but as I've said before I regard him more as a spare, a temporary piece until something better comes along. As for Albon: it's too early for him to be viable. I'd like them to search among the other drivers (imagine Perez or Norris in a RBH!), but if they don't, go for Kvyat 1 year and then switch him for Albon if he won't shine either. Ricciardo I think was acceptable since he was botched by being too close to Perez. Kubica... It's probably best that he retires. :(
It is kinda sad for us fans that RBR doesn't look outside of their own pool of drivers, especially now when said pool is rather lackluster. It would be awesome to see someone like Perez, Norris, Ocon or Russell in a Red Bull. Heck, I'd prefer Räikkönen, Bottas, Sainz or Hülkenberg in there rather than Gasly, Kvyat or Albon.
Sure is, I'd love any of the drivers you mentioned in that second car. And I wouldn't mind Ricciardo either. Mind, Sainz and Ricciardo are technically not outside their pool, so I could very well see them wanting to snipe 'um back. After all, they know them, they can work well with them, so I'm sure it could work.
Good job Max, I'll be even more impressed if he has another clean weekend.
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calle.itw
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Sure is, I'd love any of the drivers you mentioned in that second car. And I wouldn't mind Ricciardo either. Mind, Sainz and Ricciardo are technically not outside their pool, so I could very well see them wanting to snipe 'um back. After all, they know them, they can work well with them, so I'm s... [Read more]