Formula 1 is never short on surprises, and the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session was a stark reminder of just how unpredictable the sport can be.

Both seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and three-time reigning champion Max Verstappen faced unexpected struggles on Saturday, failing to deliver the kind of performances fans have grown accustomed to.

With mixed conditions, tight margins, and cars that looked difficult to tame, Hungary’s qualifying turned into a nightmare for two of F1’s biggest stars.

In this article, we dive deep into what went wrong for Hamilton and Verstappen, examining their on-track difficulties, team statements, and what this means for their chances in the race and beyond.

Hamilton’s Shock Q2 Exit: The Struggle Continues

Lewis Hamilton has long been considered a master of the Hungaroring, a track where he’s secured numerous wins and poles over the years. But this year’s qualifying told a very different story.

Knocked Out in Q2

Hamilton was eliminated in Q2 after setting only the 12th fastest time, a surprising result given Mercedes’ recent improvements. His final lap was over four-tenths slower than pole-sitter Charles Leclerc, who clocked a 1:15.3 to Hamilton’s 1:15.7. At first glance, the difference might not seem huge, but in F1 terms, it’s significant—especially in such a tightly packed grid where mere tenths can define the top 10.

Hamilton’s teammate George Russell also struggled, but the stark contrast to Leclerc—who managed to outpace both McLarens and secure pole—highlighted how elusive performance was for Hamilton’s side of the garage.

Difficult Conditions, Difficult Balance

Qualifying was made trickier by the mixed weather. Q1 began in dry conditions, Q2 saw light rain before drying again, and Q3 returned to dry. Track temperatures remained low throughout, adding further complication for tire warm-up and grip.

Hamilton pointed to an “inconsistent balance” as the core issue plaguing his weekend. In quotes attributed to RacingNews365, he described a car that was unpredictable and hard to trust:

“Big, big struggle with the balance of the car. We tried two different things. We tried to rectify some of the balance problems we had in FP1. We changed the car for FP2 and it’s just inconsistent—very, very inconsistent balance from corner to corner.”

Hamilton went on to explain that it wasn’t a matter of typical understeer or oversteer. Instead, the car behaved unpredictably—what he described as “very far from being on the rails.” He speculated that tire temperature might be playing a role in the lack of grip and feedback.

Verstappen’s Red Bull Woes: No Grip, No Pace

Max Verstappen’s run of dominance throughout the past few seasons has often made him the favorite heading into any Grand Prix weekend. But Hungary painted a different picture, one of a Red Bull car that looked genuinely off the pace.

Scraping into Q3

Unlike Hamilton, Verstappen did make it into Q3, but just barely. His final qualifying position was P8, far below the standard fans and the team expect. At one point during Q2, it looked like even Q3 would be a stretch.

Verstappen admitted that things just hadn’t clicked for him or the team all weekend:

“No, clearly not. I mean, otherwise of course we would have changed it already. But somehow this weekend nothing seems to work.”

Those words, again quoted by RacingNews365, capture the frustration within the Red Bull camp. The Dutch driver said the lack of grip—both front and rear—was evident throughout practice and qualifying. While other drivers found time and confidence as the sessions progressed, Verstappen’s struggles were consistent.

A Weekend with Bahrain Echoes

Verstappen compared the situation to Bahrain, where Red Bull similarly failed to find the sweet spot in car setup, leading to a rare off-the-pace performance. While in Bahrain the car’s fundamental issues were more clearly understood, Hungary’s problems seem more mystifying. And that’s perhaps even more worrying for Red Bull.

Unlike previous seasons where Verstappen could rely on superior race pace to recover from a poor qualifying, this weekend may prove different.

“Looking at the whole weekend I think we are happy to be in Q3 because I’ve been more outside the top 10 than in,” Verstappen admitted.

Close Margins, Tighter Field

While both Hamilton and Verstappen struggled, it’s worth noting how incredibly tight the qualifying field has become in 2025. A gap of just four-tenths separated first and twelfth in Q2, showing how little room for error there is now in modern F1.

This closeness also means that even minor issues—like struggling to get tires into the right temperature window or slight misjudgments in car setup—can result in a dramatic drop down the grid. That’s exactly what happened to both of these former champions in Hungary.

What Can They Do on Race Day?

Looking ahead to the Hungarian Grand Prix itself, the prospects for a dramatic comeback appear limited—at least on paper.

Hungaroring is a notoriously difficult circuit for overtaking, often compared to Monaco in that regard. Track position is king, and unless there’s rain or a safety car-induced shake-up, both Hamilton and Verstappen will likely struggle to make significant ground.

Still, Verstappen remains cautiously optimistic. Speaking to Motorsport.com, he noted:

“There are a few cars in front of me that I can maybe battle with a little bit, but also Lewis is still a bit further down the road. I think he shouldn’t be there, so he will come through a bit.”

This comment hints at the possibility of midfield battles, and perhaps some strategic flexibility on Sunday, but neither driver is expecting to challenge for the win without significant help from circumstance.

Bigger Picture: Trouble or Temporary?

For Hamilton and Mercedes, these struggles underscore a continuing theme from recent seasons. Despite some flashes of competitiveness, particularly in high-downforce circuits, the team still appears to lack the consistency needed to return to regular winning ways. The car’s behavior—from session to session—still appears unpredictable.

As for Verstappen and Red Bull, Hungary may be more of a one-off. The team has been dominant in most of the season so far, and Verstappen continues to lead the championship. But if more tracks expose similar weaknesses in car setup or performance windows, their advantage could shrink quickly.

Conclusion

The 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying delivered a harsh dose of reality for two of Formula 1’s most iconic names. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, both expected to be at the sharp end of the grid, found themselves out of position and out of answers.

From balance issues and tire temperature struggles to a complete lack of grip, the reasons behind their qualifying woes varied, but the result was the same: a mountain to climb on race day.

Sunday’s race may offer a chance for redemption, but with overtaking at a premium and the midfield stronger than ever, the path forward looks tough. For fans, though, it adds an exciting twist—two champions with a point to prove, starting from the back.