During the Hungarian GP qualifying, a new format called the ‘Alternative Tyre Allocation’ (ATA) was being trialled, which gave drivers 11 sets of slick tires for the race weekend instead of the usual 13. Additionally, drivers had specific compounds allocated for each section of qualifying, with hards in Q1, mediums in Q2, and softs in Q3.
George Russell, the Williams driver, missed out on advancing to Q2 and attributed his Q1 exit to being heavily compromised by other drivers as they positioned themselves for a final flying lap. Instead of referring to the “gentleman’s agreement” that drivers are not supposed to queue cut and hinder each other, Russell blamed his team, Mercedes, for putting him in that situation.
However, both Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris backed the idea that there has never been an actual “gentleman’s agreement” in F1. Hamilton, who secured pole position, acknowledged that while drivers try to be respectful, in the heat of the moment during qualifying, everyone is panicking to get their laps in.
Norris, from McLaren, echoed the sentiment, saying that drivers leave big gaps to the cars ahead to find clear air, but that can sometimes cause problems for themselves. He emphasized that in those situations, everyone is looking out for themselves and trying to get their laps in.
Max Verstappen, the reigning World Champion, also supported this perspective, explaining that when drivers are under pressure and running out of time, they have to go for it to avoid being compromised. He noted that sometimes it works out for them, and other times it doesn’t.
As for the race, Norris hopes to put pressure on Verstappen and Hamilton during the run to Turn 1 on Sunday, aiming for back-to-back podium finishes in F1 for the first time.
