Leclerc beats Hauger to secure first Formula 3 pole of 2021 in Hungary

Tipped as a title contender for 2021, Leclerc has endured an inconsistent start to the year as he sits ninth in the drivers’ championship with one victory to his name. 

The Monegasque driver reigned supreme in qualifying as his 1m33.164s remained at the top of the timesheets. 

Hauger got close at the end of the session, going within a tenth of Leclerc at the top having set a second lap on his tyres. 

The good news for Leclerc is that his three-place grid penalty from the last round at the Red Bull Ring will be applied to the first sprint race, meaning he will be able to start from pole in Sunday’s feature race.

Behind the Prema duo it was the Trident trio of Jack Doohan, David Schumacher and Clement Novalak.

Aleksandr Smolyar was ahead of Frederik Vesti, who currently sits second in the points standings.

Logan Sargeant, Olli Caldwell and Ayumu Iwasa rounded out the top ten at the Hungaroring.

Lorenzo Colombo enjoyed his best qualifying of the season with 11th in the Campos, with Jonny Edgar, Matteo Nannini, Juan Manuel Correa and Roman Stanek completing the top 15 in qualifying.

On his return to the series, Jake Hughes qualified 18th.

Click here for the full FIA Formula 3 qualifying results from Hungary.