George Russell secures the FIRST pole position of his career after sensational lap… as world champion Max Verstappen will start in tenth after disastrous session while Lewis Hamilton is only seventh
- George Russell took a shock pole position for Mercedes at the Hungarian GP
- The Brit pipped Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc to pole position
- Max Verstappen suffered Q3 power issues and will only start tenth in the race
- Lewis Hamilton had DRS issues, with Russell’s team mate down in seventh
George Russell claimed his first pole position with a brilliant flying lap in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The 24-year-old Englishman let out indecipherable howls of delight from the cockpit after one of the defining moments of his young but hugely promising career. His Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton was seventh.
‘No points for Saturday,’ said Russell moments later, as he composed himself for the 70 laps in front of him on Sunday.
George Russell (centre) pipped the Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc (left) and Carlos Sainz to pole
Russell’s pole position is the first of his career in a result that stunned the rest of the grid
The Brit shouted with delight after crossing the line to claim a shock pole position
The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were second and third. Russell was ahead by 0.044sec.
Defending champion Max Verstappen’s Red Bull suffered an apparent power glitch at the end of the afternoon. He yelled in desperation down the radio. He qualified 10th.
Lando Norris was fourth for McLaren.
Max Verstappen suffered mechanical issues in the third qualifying session and will start from a lowly tenth place following a disastrous qualifying for Red Bull
Lewis Hamilton also suffered mechanical gremlins during the session with a DRS issue meaning he will only start the race from seventh place
Hamilton will be hoping to improve on race day at a track he has won at eight times
Sebastian Vettel, who announced his retirement from Formula One at the end of the season, fell out at the first hurdle. The four-time world champion was only the 18th best — a sign perhaps that his mind is already starting to depart the scene.
The 35-year-old German’s last race is due to come at Abu Dhabi on November 20.
Vettel’s team-mate Lance Stroll, in contrast, qualified 14th.
Another big faller was Sergio Perez of Red Bull. He missed out on Q1 after being unable to manage better than 11th. ‘F****** Magnussen blocked me,’ said the Mexican of the Haas driver over the radio as he made his way disappointedly back to the pits.
There was support from British fans at the Hungaroring near Budapest on Saturday
RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
Follow Sportsmail’s live blog for qualifying updates as the Formula One campaign continues at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
.