- Mercedes driver quicker than Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc
- Championship leader Max Verstappen 10th after losing power
Good times have been in short supply at Mercedes this season. The team’s poorly performing car has left them stoically having to grin and bear it. In qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix and out of the blue, they finally had the chance to just grin as a good time came to them in George Russell delivering an extraordinary lap to take his first Formula One pole position and Mercedes’ first of the season.
There was elation in the Mercedes garage at the Hungaroring as mechanics and engineers who have been under the cosh all season were finally able to enjoy the adrenaline surge of success once more. While Russell, the 24-year-old who is always careful to keep a tight rein on his emotions, was lit up with pleasure.
