Lando Norris gave McLaren hope of challenging for their first Grand Prix pole position of the season in their upgraded car in Hungary by impressively outpacing Friday pacesetter Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ title-leading Kimi Antonelli in final practice.
Ferrari had appeared the big favourites for Saturday’s qualifying fight after dominating the opening day’s practice but, while they remained right in the mix at the front, they were usurped in the final hour of practice running by the reigning world champions.
Norris was second to Hamilton after their respective first laps on soft tyres at the end of the session but the McLaren driver impressively found more speed on his second lap, on which he uncorked a 1:17.939 to pip his Ferrari rival to the top of the timesheet by 0.117s.
After an unusually-difficult Friday, Antonelli was back in the mix at the front too and finished third fastest, 0.129s behind Norris.
But team-mate George Russell continued to struggle and wound up only sixth fastest, 0.6s slower than Norris’ impressive pace.
Charles Leclerc was 0.3s off the pace in fourth in the second Ferrari, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri a tenth further back in fifth. However, it was a more difficult session for Red Bull, with Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar seventh and eighth-fastest respectively.
Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle said: “It’s so close, as it always is here. It bodes incredibly well for this afternoon.”
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Hungarian GP schedule
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The first lap of the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix saw several drivers crash into one another
Saturday July 25
1.10pm: F2 Sprint*
2.15pm: Hungarian GP Qualifying build-up*
3pm: HUNGARIAN GP QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday July 26
7.35am: F3 Feature Race
9.05am: Porsche Supercup
10.20am: F2 Feature Race
12.30pm: Hungarian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
2pm: THE HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Hungarian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
5pm: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix with every session live on Sky Sports F1. Sunday’s race starts at 2pm. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
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