Hungarian Grand Prix: Russell takes first career pole

Mercedes driver George Russell stunned himself and Formula 1 with a sensational maiden pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Briton pipped the Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, while championship leader Max Verstappen was 10th with engine problems.

McLaren’s Lando Norris was fourth, ahead of the Alpines of Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso

Russell’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton was seventh, 0.765 seconds slower.

Hamilton’s DRS overtaking aid failed on his final run. Before that, he had been less than 0.2secs off Russell on their first runs in the final session.

Russell’s first career pole came in the most spectacular style, as the 24-year-old beat Sainz by 0.044secs. Leclerc was 0.146secs slower than his team-mate in third.

And it was all the more impressive for coming out of the blue.

Mercedes had been way off the pace on Friday, and were also struggling in Saturday’s wet final practice session. (BBC)