F1 Qualifying LIVE | Qualifying for the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix

Qualifying Live | 2023 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen has started every single Grand Prix from pole position since Monaco in May. The Red Bull Racing driver is the favourite to secure pole position again and put his team on the path to breaking McLaren's record of 11 consecutive Grands Prix victories set in 1988. Sergio Perez could also help Red Bull take that record, but he must secure a good grid spot. He hasn't reached Q3 since the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. 

Last time out at Silverstone, McLaren were Red Bull's nearest rivals in qualifying. Lando Norris secured his place on the front row, whilst his teammate Oscar Piastri claimed P3. At the Hungaroring last year, George Russell claimed his first career pole position giving himself and Lewis Hamilton some confidence at Mercedes. Ferrari are the only other team to start from pole position in 2023, though the form of the Italians hasn't been strong recently. The same could be said for Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso, though this circuit is expected to play into their hands more. 

What will happen during F1 qualifying?

Formula 1 are testing a brand new qualifying format at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix. Therefore, Pirelli are looking to reduce the number of tyres required for the weekend and have come up with this trial. It's relatively straightforward. Drivers will only be allowed to use the hard tyre in Q1, the medium tyre in Q2 and the soft tyre in Q3. This gives drivers two fewer sets of dry tyres for the race weekend. 

As usual, the session will be split into three different parts. The first session lasts 18 minutes and sees the five slowest drivers eliminated from the session. Those five places are fixed for Sunday's grid. The remaining drivers return for a 15-minute session. The slowest five drivers are knocked out, and their places are set for the Hungarian Grand Prix grid. The remaining ten drivers battle it out for pole position in a 12-minute session. Click here to see the weather forecast for qualifying and the rest of the weekend.

The history of the Hungarian Grand Prix

The Hungarian Grand Prix was the first event for Formula 1 behind the Iron Curtain. It was originally going to be a street circuit, but the government built a new one just outside Budapest. Construction started just eight months before the first Grand Prix in 1986. 

Ayrton Senna secured the very first pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He and Nelson Piquet battled for the win, and the latter was in the lead when the chequered flag dropped. Nigel Mansell joined them on the podium. With the race being a permanent fixture since the mid-80s, all of the big names have raced at the venue. 

Recent Hungarian Grand Prix history

Michael Schumacher took his first Hungarian pole position in 1994 and won the race. On the same day, Jos Verstappen secured his first of two podiums in Formula 1. Schumacher became World Champion at the venue in 2001 despite it being just the 13th event on the calendar (out of 17). Ferrari became Constructors Champions when Rubens Barrichello led a one-two in 2002. 

Fernando Alonso secured his first F1 career victory at the circuit in 2003. Jenson Button achieved the same statistic in a wet 2006 race. Lewis Hamilton achieved the first of his eight wins in Hungary during the 2007 season. He would dominate proceedings for the best part of the next 15 years. 

In 2019, Max Verstappen achieved his first career pole position, though he wasn't fast enough to keep Mercedes' Hamilton behind him on Sunday. Esteban Ocon took a surprise victory in 2021 in a red-flag and rain-affected race. Last time out, George Russell achieved his first career pole position, with Verstappen winning on Sunday. Red Bull are favourites to win again this weekend.