Hamilton ends Verstappen's string of pole positions in Hungarian GP qualifying

Lewis Hamilton took his first pole position since 2021 at the Hungarian Grand Prix and ended Formula One champion Max Verstappen's bid for a sixth straight pole on Saturday.

Lewis Hamilton took his first pole position since 2021 at the Hungarian Grand Prix and ended Formula One champion Max Verstappen's bid for a sixth straight pole on Saturday.

Hamilton pumped his left fist several times after placing just .003 seconds ahead of Verstappen on his last lap to secure a record-extending 104th pole but first since Saudi Arabia in December 2021.

"Get in there, let's go boys!" So good!" Hamilton shouted on team radio before letting out a high-pitch whoop.

"It's been a crazy year and a half ... I didn't think today we'd be fighting for pole," Hamilton said. "I just need to try and see if I can sleep tonight."

It might not be easy, given the rush of joy he felt.

"I just had a grin on my face, what an uplifting feeling for the whole team," the seven-time F1 champion said. "When I went into the last run I gave it absolutely everything."

Wins and poles used to be as common for Hamilton as they are becoming for Verstappen, but Hamilton feels Mercedes is finally giving him a better shot at a first victory since his record 103rd race win, also in Saudi Arabia two years ago.