Class act: A look at Verstappen's groundbreaking Hungarian GP pole position

Max Verstappen took his first-ever pole position at the 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix, just six years ago. Now, ahead of the 2025 GP, Red Bull Racing looks back at the iconic moment.

Despite taking home his first win in 2016 at the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen did not take home his first pole position until roughly three years later. On his 93rd race start, he finally snatched the first starting position on track.

While on the lap, Verstappen set a green first sector but a purple second and third sector. He completed the lap with a 1:14.572, placing him only 0.18 seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas, who at that time, raced for Mercedes. 

Now, Verstappen still races for Red Bull Racing while Bottas is a third driver for Mercedes and is set to go to the newest Formula 1 team, Cadillac, for 2026. 

Watch Verstappen's pole position lap here: 

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