---
title: "Vettel Captures Pole Position in Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying"
description: "His Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen nabs the number two spot."
date: "2017-07-29"
modified: "2017-07-29"
authors:
  - name: "Caleb Jacobs"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/caleb-jacobs"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/13016/vettel-captures-pole-position-in-hungarian-grand-prix-qualifying"
categories:
  - "F1"
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "Formula One"
  - "Hungarian Grand Prix"
  - "Motorsport News"
  - "Sebastian Vettel"
---

# Vettel Captures Pole Position in Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/07/vettel-hero-image.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

Ferrari ace [Sebastian Vettel](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/12948/theres-no-rush-to-sign-new-ferrari-contract-vettel-says>) performed exceptionally well at Saturday's Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying, beating out teammate Kimi Raikkonen for pole position by two-tenths of a second. The Maranello pair were able to best their rivals at Mercedes by holding [Valtteri Bottas](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/12549/bottas-contract-extension-is-almost-a-no-brainer-mercedes-f1-boss-says>) to third place with [Lewis Hamilton](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/12651/lewis-hamilton-thinks-hes-driving-at-his-best-right-now>) acquiring the fourth spot for tomorrow's starting grid.

Vettel's impressive pace put him in a good spot for this crucial race, one that he hopes will broaden his one-point lead over the three-time world champion Hamilton. His first run in Q1 was enough to net Vettel the first lap under 1 minute and 17 seconds before Lewis came in during Q2, though the Mercedes driver struggled with grip throughout qualifying. He went off track during both Q3 and Q4, apparently due to these traction struggles and vibrations through the tires.

Red Bull F1 driver [Max Verstappen](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/12903/max-verstappen-really-wants-a-better-car-if-he-stays-with-red-bull-f1>) put on a good show through the first two rounds, though he lacked in his final outing to put him in fifth position. Teammate [Daniel Ricciardo](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/12988/ricciardo-leads-after-day-1-of-hungarian-grand-prix-practice>) was able to clock in just behind him in sixth after suffering a hydraulic problem in FP3. This lands the duo in the middle of this weekend's top ten ahead of McLaren's [Fernando Alonso](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/12406/fernando-alonsos-hopes-of-joining-ferrari-or-mercedes-could-be-gone>) and Stoffel Vandoorne, who came in 7th and 8th respectively.

![message-editor%2F1501358769826-gettyimages-824217192.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1501358769826-gettyimages-824217192.jpg>)
**Mark Thompson / Getty Images**

Toro Rosso's lead man Carlos Sainz performed a 1'18.31, and Renault driver Jolyon Palmer followed shortly after to award him the final spot in the top ten.

As for [Haas F1](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/12996/haas-f1-driver-kevin-magnussen-upset-that-hamilton-is-always-in-the-way>), Williams, Force India, and Sauber, each of their drivers landed in the bottom half of qualifying for the Hungaroring contest.

Ferrari certainly feels rewarded at today's end with both of their members capturing the front row. Vettel's[recent confidence](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/12991/vettel-says-its-good-news-that-other-teams-are-complaining-about-ferrari>) bodes well for the Scuderia team, too, as he feels he and his crew are doing all the right things at this half-way point of the season.

## Author
Caleb Jacobs is The Drive’s senior editor. When he’s not searching for stories or poring over copy, he’s usually driving his dump truck or wishing it was running so he could drive it. He was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks, and he lives there today with his family.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-jacobs-319323119>)  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/calebjwords>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/calebjacobs0611>)