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Hungary: Grid shaken up by Hamilton and Antonelli penalties
The starting grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix has been turned on its head after both Lewis Hamilton and championship leader Kimi Antonelli received grid penalties.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-25T18:09:31.000Z - 2 min read
Qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix produced a dramatic aftermath. What initially appeared to be a tight battle for pole position ended in a flurry of FIA decisions that reshaped the starting grid significantly. Heading into Q3, Lewis Hamilton emerged as the fastest driver, but momentum swung during the crucial final minutes.
Stewards handed Hamilton a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri during the Australian's flying lap in Q3. The costly incident dropped the Briton, who had been enjoying a strong session, further down the grid.
Hamilton was not the only driver called to answer to the stewards. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was handed an identical penalty. The youngster dropped three places for failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags triggered by Max Verstappen's spin in the final corner of Q3.
These rulings reshuffled the front of the field. Lando Norris now inherits pole position for Sunday's race alongside Charles Leclerc on the front row. Oscar Piastri, benefiting from Hamilton's penalty, lines up on row two next to Max Verstappen.
As a consequence, Hamilton starts from fifth position, behind Max Verstappen. Championship leader Antonelli lines up directly behind George Russell, forcing him to launch his recovery drive from seventh on the grid—a shift that alters the dynamic at the front substantially.
Behind them, Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad secure places in the top ten to lock out the fourth row, with Nico Hulkenberg completing the top ten. Starting slots throughout the midfield and lower orders have shifted accordingly, paving the way for intriguing battles further down the order.
The fallout from these penalties promises an unpredictable spectacle at the Hungaroring. With frontrunners displaced and Norris leading the pack away, a strategic and tactical showdown appears inevitable.
Scything through the field to secure vital points will pose a formidable challenge for Hamilton and Antonelli. The opening phase of the Hungarian Grand Prix could prove decisive for their championship prospects.