“What?!” Leclerc replied to his race engineer, Bryan Bozzi, after being told the result. He laughed to himself afterwards: “Mamma mia. My God!” The bemusement initially hidden by Leclerc’s helmet remained etched on his face after he hopped out of his car and celebrated with his team.

Charles Leclerc took a sensational and surprise pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix, as McLaren's dominant pace over the weekend so far evaporated at the climax of Formula 1 qualifying.

"Honestly, I have no words. It's probably one of the best pole positions I've ever had, because it's the most unexpected for sure."