Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton takes pole for 2018 Hungarian Grand Prix

Wet conditions in Hungary helped Mercedes in a mixed Formula 1 qualifying session at the Hungaroring for teams and drivers.

Qualifying 1

Qualifying 1 for the 12th race of the 2018 Formula 1 season, the Hungarian Grand Prix, started in damp conditions due to rain that fell on the track before qualifying. Due to the conditions, Mercedes were early runners on the intermediates tires. Charles Leclerc led the two Mercedes drivers to start the session.

The session had mixed conditions, allowing Mercedes to improve traction. It began to dry out despite there still being standing water on the track. Carlos Sainz Jr. was the first driver on dry tires and went fastest, only to be pipped by Kevin Magnussen.

As the session continued, Ferrari and Mercedes were the last the adopters of the ultrasoft tires. Ultimately, Sebastian Vettel led the pack by the end of the session. Daniel Ricciardo took soft tires and took a few laps to warm up and just got into Q2 in P14.

Eliminated in Q1: Stoffel Vandoorne, Leclerc, Esteban Ocon, Sergio Perez, Sergey Sirotkin

Qualifying 2

Vettel started on Intermediate tires while a majority of the grid took ultrasoft tires as Ferrari took a gamble on a wet sector three. Vettel posted a lap at 1:28.636, the fastest of the session, while other teams scrambled to find the right tire.

With the session becoming wetter, several drivers on intermediates tires spun, including Lance Stroll, who damaged his front wing. With just minutes left in the session, Ricciardo continued to stay in the elimination zone and will start P12. He was was most affected by Stroll’s spin into the barriers in turn nine. Several drivers took full wet tires. Conditions did not improve.

Eliminated in Q2:  Fernando Alonso, Ricciardo, Nico Hulkenberg, Marcus Ericsson, Stroll (no time)

Qualifying 3

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All drivers took wet tires for the shootout. Max Verstappen posted the first time at 1:38.923. However, he was cautious. Lewis Hamilton took the overall lead with a lap at 1:36.648. His time was good enough for provisional pole until Kimi Raikkonen posted a lap at 1:36.186.

With two minutes to go, Mercedes switched Hamilton and Bottas onto new wet tires, and that was enough, as with a last-minute do-or-die lap, Bottas took provisional pole, dropping Raikkonen to P2. Seconds later, Hamilton took the pole position with an improved personal best last sector.

Vettel will start behind Raikkonen for the first time in 2018. Verstappen struggled in the conditions and will start P7. Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly will start P6 after both Toro Rosso drivers made it into Q3 for the first time this year.

With six pole positions at the Hungaroring, Lewis Hamilton is second only to Michael Schumacher for the title of “fastest in Hungary”, However, with conditions expected to be dry for the race tomorrow, Hamilton and Mercedes will need to work to hold off a very fast pair of Ferrari drivers. How will the Hungarian Grand Prix turn out? Tune in to ESPN2 at 9:05 a.m. ET tomorrow to find out.