For all that Ferrari have been quick, Norris and McLaren have also looked in good shape all weekend. And, at least on this circuit, they have vaulted right to the front, into a position that had been familiar for the past two seasons but not so in 2026.
While sat with Ferrari’s Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Norris said: “I knew the pace was certainly there. It has been all weekend. Even though these guys have been insanely fast, I knew I’d been driving very well, I’d been consistent, and I knew the car had potential.
“We also had the upgrades this weekend, and it doesn’t feel that different, but it certainly seems to be going a little bit quicker, and that’s always a good thing.”
Overtaking is expected to be especially difficult around the Hungaroring this year.
In Miami an excess of caution on McLaren’s part about the potential of rain allowed Mercedes to pit Antonelli before Norris and leap into the lead.
Norris’ pole provides an opportunity to make amends for that – if he can keep Leclerc behind on the run to the first corner.
After winning two consecutive constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025, as well as Norris’ drivers’ championship last year, McLaren have not had a great season at the start of this new regulation cycle.
Securing the title against a late-season onslaught from Max Verstappen and Red Bull put them behind on designing this year’s car, and they took some missteps on aerodynamic philosophy that only became fully understood after the first handful of races.
An upgrade package introduced by McLaren this weekend, their first since Miami, is the fruit of work aimed at correcting course, and the first signs are positive.
They have also struggled to get on top of the operation of the new Mercedes engine, feeling for the first time that they were suffering for not being a works partner of a manufacturer.
“It’s just nice to be on pole,” said Norris, who had also shown competitive pace in Belgium last weekend but was denied a good result by a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding the permitted number of engine parts, and then by bad luck with the timing of a safety car.
“I have felt good all weekend. The last few weekends, honestly, I felt pretty good and it’s been nice I continued my good feelings in the car.
“I had my money on Ferrari before the weekend and they have been insanely quick, but, come qualifying, we just seemed to take more of a step forward. I knew it was possible and that has been a good feeling – and one that I have missed for quite a while.”
As for his prospects in the race, Norris alluded to strong performances from the Mercedes and Ferrari drivers on the race-simulation runs in Friday practice when he said: “The race pace on others looked very strong. It is always a bit tricky to know how things will go with a new car and new bits.”
Leclerc, though, felt Norris would certainly be in the fight, and both have some protection from Hamilton and Antonelli, both demoted by three-place penalties to fifth and seventh respectively.
“Lando seems to be very, very strong, so I’ll say Lando [is favourite],” Leclerc said. “But if you look over the course of the season, Mercedes has always been up there, so I do not doubt that they’ll all be in the fight as well.”
