Lawson endures tough qualifying as rain hits Hungary

Five hours after its original scheduled time to start, the FIA Formula 3 grid managed to complete its sole qualifying session of the weekend with Alexander Smolyar executing a sublime lap in atrocious conditions at the Hungaroring.

The Russian rookie was swapping fastest lap times all session with Prema duo Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant before laying down a 1.51.348 late in the session to pip Sargeant by two-tenths and secure pole position.

Liam Lawson was one of a handful of drivers caught out by the inclement weather, spinning at Turn 10 into the gravel before race officials suspended the session for several hours.

The Kiwi ace endured yet another difficult session and will line up behind his Hitech GP teammate Dennis Hauger in 11th.

While conditions are set to remain clear for the rest of the weekend, the Hungaroring is one of the more difficult circuits to overtake on, putting Lawson’s race preparation on the backfoot.

Fresh of his maiden win last weekend in Austria, Theo Pourchaire was one of the last drivers to cross the line after the flag and hoisted himself from outside the Top 10 into third, ahead of the second Prema of Frederik Vesti.

Australian compatriots Calan Williams and Piastri will make up the third row, Williams was en route to secure second before everyone else found improvements on a drying track.

The F3 grid will have two races this weekend with the first 22-lapper set to start from 8.25 pm NZT tonight.