Video shows the Q3 incident that could send Lewis Hamilton back to fifth | Hungarian GP qualifying. Lewis Hamilton faces possible grid penalty after Oscar Piastri Q3 incident.

Lewis Hamilton could lose his front-row starting position and drop to fifth on the grid for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix after appearing to impede Oscar Piastri at Turn 1 during Q3. The incident occurred after the Ferrari driver had completed his second and final run without improving his lap time.

It represents a dramatic change of circumstances for Lewis Hamilton, who had come within just 0.012 seconds of pole position. The seven-time world champion narrowly missed what would have been his 10th pole at the Hungaroring, a circuit where his exceptional Hungarian Grand Prix record had raised hopes of another major Ferrari result.

Lewis Hamilton appears to impede Oscar Piastri in Q3

The footage of the incident appears particularly significant. Judging by Oscar Piastri’s onboard camera, Lewis Hamilton clearly obstructed the Australian McLaren driver as he entered Turn 1 on a flying lap.

Lewis Hamilton had already completed his final Q3 attempt and was no longer in a position to improve. Oscar Piastri, however, was still pushing to complete his lap when he encountered the Ferrari at the opening corner.

The incident of impending between Piastri and Hamilton.

Piastri engineer: “I’m sure Hamilton will get a penalty got that” pic.twitter.com/0pvtXjQqvJ

— Zizou (@NzT716) July 25, 2026

Charles Leclerc could be promoted to the front row

If Lewis Hamilton is relegated to fifth position, Charles Leclerc would be promoted to the front row alongside pole-sitter Lando Norris. Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen would then occupy the second row, placing four different teams in the first four positions on the Hungarian Grand Prix starting grid.

Such an outcome would give Charles Leclerc an even stronger starting position after Ferrari had shown encouraging pace throughout the weekend, despite the Monegasque previously warning that the team could not simply assume the Hungaroring would suit the SF-26. For Lewis Hamilton, however, a penalty would turn a qualifying performance that came within 0.012 seconds of pole into a third-row start.