In first qualifying of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship at the 4.381 kilometres long Hungaroring, marked by numerous position changes, German Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam, 1:34.107 minutes) claimed pole position. In bright sunshine at the track near Budapest, George Russell (HitechGP, 1:34.187 minutes) secured second place from Ralf Aron (Prema Powerteam, 1:34.257 minutes). Thus, the Estonian was the best-placed rookie. He ended up ahead of his experienced team-mate Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam, 1:34.284 minutes), who was fourth. 

With a little less than five minutes remaining, George Russell beat the time set by Lance Stroll, who was fastest until then, and thus moved up into first place. Later on, his rivals tried to topple the HitechGP driver from the top position, but none of them succeeded. Two minutes before the chequered flag was out, Maximilian Günther and Ralf Aron started their final attempts. They weren’t able to claim the top position from Russell, but both moved ahead of their team-mate Stroll. The latter, no longer able to react, had to make do with fourth place. However, George Russell didn’t have a lot of time to celebrate his performance either. Shortly after the end of qualifying, he had his fastest lap time disallowed for exceeding the track limits. Thus, the Brit dropped back to second behind Maximilian Günther.

Rookie driver Joel Eriksson (Motopark, 1:34.339 minutes), who already scored his maiden podium finish in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship during the season opener at Le Castellet, confirmed his good performance by ending up fifth. Formula 3 novice Niko Kari (Motopark, 1:34.423 minutes) also ranked among the six fastest drivers. Thus, the Finn was one place ahead of the current points’ leader Nick Cassidy (Prema Powerteam, 1:34.615 minutes), who had to make do with seventh place. Sérgio Sette Câmara (Motopark, 1:34.617 minutes), Callum Ilott (Van Amersfoort Racing, 1:34.676 minutes) and Alessio Lorandi (Carlin, 1:34.776 minutes) rounded out the top ten.

Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam): “I am extremely happy with this pole position, my third in a row. For me, initially it looked as if this would be a good, but not a perfect qualifying session, because I was second. Therefore, I am all the more delighted that I ended up with pole position for the first race at the Hungaroring after all. Together with first place in free practice this morning, this is a very good start into the weekend in Hungary. Nevertheless, we can’t give in now, because there is another important qualifying session today, in which the starting grid positions for the second and third race will be determined.”