Lewis Hamilton questioned Ferrari’s Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying strategy after missing pole position by just 0.012 seconds to Lando Norris. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion initially qualified second at the Hungaroring, but a penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri later dropped him to fifth on the starting grid.
Lewis Hamilton admitted that Ferrari’s decision to send him out at the head of the queue for the decisive qualifying run caught him by surprise. Although the SF-26 had the pace to fight for pole, he lost grip from Turn 1 and described his final attempt as his worst lap of the session.
Lewis Hamilton drops from second to fifth after Hungary qualifying
Speaking to the media after qualifying for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton reflected on a session in which he came within 12 thousandths of beating Lando Norris to pole position.
“Of course I’m not satisfied with my performance, no. I didn’t go faster on the final lap. I was good throughout the session. I think we’ve done a good job this weekend, but I have to go to the stewards, so… It all depends on the stewards now. We’ll see what happens over the next half an hour, but I always think of the worst, so tomorrow might just be about limiting the damage.”
Lewis Hamilton made those comments before reporting to the FIA and learning the official decision that would leave him starting fifth. The Ferrari driver received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri during the closing stages of Q3.
As a result, the Maranello team will not have both cars at the front of the grid. Charles Leclerc moves up to second behind Lando Norris, ensuring Ferrari still has one SF-26 on the front row for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Ferrari qualifying strategy caught Lewis Hamilton by surprise
Lewis Hamilton believed Ferrari had clearly produced a car capable of taking pole at the Hungaroring. However, he questioned the decision to begin the final sequence at the front of the queue, explaining that it was not the approach he would have chosen.
“I don’t know why we went out at the front, and that caught me a little by surprise. I certainly wouldn’t have chosen to go out at the front, but that’s how things unfolded. I completed a preparation lap without making any mistakes and, from the very beginning of my lap, already at Turn 1, I lost grip and immediately found myself a tenth and a half down.
“From there, the problems continued. The final lap was the worst of them all, while all the others were really good. We clearly had the right car to take pole today, but I wasn’t able to get the best out of myself. The points, however, are won tomorrow.”
The British driver therefore missed the opportunity to claim what would have been his tenth pole position at the Hungaroring. His outstanding history at the circuit had already contributed to the belief that Lewis Hamilton could challenge for another Hungarian Grand Prix victory with Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton praises Ferrari’s continued SF-26 development
Despite his disappointment over qualifying and the subsequent grid penalty, Lewis Hamilton remains convinced that the SF-26 can demonstrate its strength in the race. Ferrari’s evolved Macarena rear wing helped the team make another small step forward at a circuit where aerodynamic efficiency and low-speed performance are particularly important.
The updated component formed part of Ferrari’s continuing development programme, with the team introducing the upgraded Macarena rear wing at the Hungaroring.
“I think the car is simply strong in every area. The team has done a really great job, and a huge thank you goes to everyone at the factory for continuing to push and bring upgrades every weekend.
“We’re continuing to innovate and evolve the car. It’s completely different from last year’s car. I’m grateful to have pushed and helped develop the car to this point, allowing us to fight at the front for victories, but the gap between the leading drivers is incredibly small and you have to be perfect to secure first place.”
Lewis Hamilton will now begin the Hungarian Grand Prix from the third row rather than alongside Lando Norris at the front. Charles Leclerc inherits second place, while Hamilton faces a recovery drive after a qualifying session that demonstrated both the SF-26’s potential and how costly even the smallest imperfection can be when the leading cars are separated by such narrow margins.
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