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Hungarian GP: Rosberg snatches pole position in crash-filled qualifying

Budapest - Nico Rosberg rode his luck to grab pole position for Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton in a prolonged qualifying session punctuated by rainstorms and red flags.

The championship-leading veteran produced a fastest lap of 1min19.965 at the end of a session stretched to nearly two hours by heavy rain and crashes in the hazardous conditions on the twisting Hungaroring circuit.

Defending three-time champion Hamilton, who is just one point behind Rosberg after 10 of this year's 21 races, was 0.143 seconds behind his rival as the pair secured their team's sixth front-row lockout of the season.

As it happened - 2016 Hungarian GP: Qualifying

Hamilton looked to be on course to take pole when on an improved best lap he came across Fernando Alonso's McLaren spinning off the track in front of him.

What a middle sector the question is if it was legal. Credits: F1 Writers (Twitter) #F1 #HungarianGP #NicoRosberg #Rosberg #Mercedes #NR6

A video posted by F1 Humor/Hit the blue button:D (@racingjokes) on

Hamilton had to take evasive action, which cost him time, before Rosberg came round and was able to continue without easing off.

The two Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo, who was also affected by Alonso's spin, and Dutch teenager Max Verstappen were third and fourth ahead of four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.

Vettel's team mate Kimi Raikkonen was unable to progress from Q2 in the treacherous conditions.

Spaniards Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso and Alonso were sixth and seventh ahead of Briton Jenson Button in the second McLaren, Nico Hulkenberg of Force India and Valtteri Bottas of Williams, who was 10th fastest.

Rosberg's success brought him his 26th career pole position and his 50th front-row start for a race he has never won.

Hamilton will be seeking a third win in succession and his record fifth in Hungary.

Great stuff @jenson_ichiban @fernandoalo_oficial @mclaren #mclaren #honda #f1 #hungariangp

A photo posted by dottystu (@dottystu) on

2016 Hungarian GP: Qualifying times

Q3

1. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 1min19.965
2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1min20.108 
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull 1min20.280 
4. Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull 1min20.557 
5. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari 1min20.874
6. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Toro Rosso 1min21.131
7. Fernando Alonso (ESP) McLaren 1min21.211
8. Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren 1min21.597 
9. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Force India 1min21.823 
10. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Williams 1min22.182

Q2

1. Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull 1min22.660 (Q)
2. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 1min22.806 (Q) 
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull 1min23.234 (Q) 
4. Fernando Alonso (ESP) McLaren 1min23.816 (Q) 
5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Force India 1min23.901 (Q) 
6. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari 1min24.082 (Q) 
7. Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren 1min24.456 (Q) 
8. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Williams 1min24.506 (Q) 
9. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Toro Rosso 1min24.734 (Q) 
10. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1min24.836 (Q) 
11. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas 1min24.941 
12. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Toro Rosso 1min25.301 
13. Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India 1min25.416 
14. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 1min25.435 
15. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX) Haas 1min26.189 
16. Felipe Nasr (BRA) Sauber 1min27.063

Q1

1. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 1min33.302 (Q)
2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1min34.210 (Q) 
3. Fernando Alonso (ESP) McLaren 1min35.165 (Q) 
4. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari 1min35.718 (Q) 
5. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas 1min35.906 (Q) 
6. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Toro Rosso 1min36.115 (Q) 
7. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Toro Rosso 1min36.714 (Q)
8. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 1min36.853 (Q) 
9. Felipe Nasr (BRA) Sauber 1min37.772 (Q) 
10. Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren 1min37.983 (Q)
11. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX) Haas 1min38.959 (Q) 
12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull 1min39.968 (Q) 
13. Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull 1min40.424 (Q)
14. Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India 1min41.411 (Q)
15. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Force India 1min41.471 (Q) 
16. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Williams 1min42.758 (Q)
17. Jolyon Palmer (GBR) Renault 1min43.965
18. Felipe Massa (BRA) Williams 1min43.999
19. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Renault 1min44.543 
20. Marcus Ericsson (SWE) Sauber 1min46.984 
21. Pascal Wehrlein (GER) Manor 1min47.343 
22. Rio Haryanto (INA) Manor-Mercedes 1min50.189


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