Kush Maini secures Formula 2 Hungary pole at the Hungaroring after setting a blistering 1:28.896 lap during Friday’s (24 July) qualifying session. The Indian driver produced his fastest time in the closing stages to claim pole position for the Feature Race at Round 9 of the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship, edging Rafael Câmara by just 0.117s in an intensely competitive session.
The session began with drivers adapting to the demanding characteristics of the Hungaroring, a circuit where precision through medium- and low-speed corners is crucial for a competitive lap. Early on, Nikola Tsolov established the benchmark with a 1:29.601, moving to the top of the timing screens. However, as the track continued to evolve with increasing grip, lap times steadily improved throughout the 30-minute session.
With just over ten minutes remaining, the battle for pole position intensified. Teams fitted fresh soft tyres for one final qualifying run, knowing the circuit was at its quickest. Maini made the most of the improving conditions, producing a superb 1:28.896 that remained unbeaten until the chequered flag.
Rafael Câmara came closest to challenging the Indian driver, finishing just 0.117s adrift in second place. Noel León secured third after another strong qualifying performance, while Joshua Dürksen claimed fourth. Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak completed the top five, underlining the competitive nature of the field.
Laurens Van Hoepen qualified sixth ahead of Nikola Tsolov, Dino Beganovic, Gabriele Minì and Sebastian Montoya, who rounded out the top ten. Once again, the narrow margins throughout the field demonstrated the depth of competition in Formula 2, with only fractions of a second separating several drivers.
Qualifying highlights Formula 2’s competitiveness
Friday’s qualifying session once again showcased the remarkable level of competition that has defined the 2026 Formula 2 season. Different drivers have regularly challenged for pole positions and podiums throughout the championship, making every qualifying session increasingly significant as the title fight progresses.
At a circuit where overtaking opportunities are limited, securing a strong grid position can be decisive for the Feature Race. As a result, the closing stages of qualifying saw every driver pushing to maximise the performance of their final set of soft tyres, with the order changing several times before Maini ultimately secured pole.
Track evolution also played a major role in shaping the final classification. While Tsolov controlled the early stages of the session, improving grip levels allowed drivers to extract considerably more performance during their final flying laps. Managing tyre preparation, traffic and timing proved just as important as outright speed, rewarding those who executed their qualifying strategy to perfection.
Championship battle remains wide open
The Hungaroring weekend comes at a crucial point in the 2026 Formula 2 campaign. Nikola Tsolov currently leads the Drivers’ Championship, with Gabriele Minì in second place and Rafael Câmara completing the top three in the standings.
Maini’s pole position gives him an important opportunity to reduce the gap to the championship leaders while building momentum heading into the remainder of the weekend. With several contenders still firmly in the title fight, every point available across both races could prove decisive in the battle for the championship.
Consistency has been one of the defining features of the season, with multiple drivers regularly fighting for victories and podium finishes across different circuits. That level of parity has created one of the most competitive Formula 2 campaigns in recent years, leaving little room for mistakes as the championship enters its second half.
Saturday’s Sprint Race and Sunday’s Feature Race are expected to continue that trend. The Hungaroring traditionally rewards strong qualifying performances due to the difficulty of overtaking, meaning Maini’s pole position could provide a significant advantage as he looks to convert his pace into a victory and strengthen his position in the championship standings.
