Formula 1 world championship leader Lewis Hamilton cruised to pole position in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix this afternoon.

The Englishman recorded a time of 1:22.020 to finish over half a second faster than Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg at the Hungaroring.

It is the 21st consecutive pole for Mercedes and Hamilton's ninth in 10 races this season.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel will start third, with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo joining him on the second row.

Finnish drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas are on the third row, while the top 10 is completed by Daniil Kvyat, Felipe Massa, Max Verstappen and Romain Grosjean.

McLaren's woes this season continued as both drivers suffered technical difficulties. In Q2, Fernando Alonso's engine cut out and he had to push the car back to the pit lane, but couldn't set a time and will start the race 15th.

Alonso's teammate Jenson Button didn't even make it past Q1 as his ERS system failed and he finished in 16th place to join the Saubers and Marussias in being knocked out at the first hurdle.

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
3. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
4. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
5. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
6. Valtteri Bottas (Williams)
7. Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull)
8. Felipe Massa (Williams)
9. Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso)
10. Romain Grosjean (Lotus)
11. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India)
12. Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso)
13. Sergio Perez (Force India)
14. Pastor Maldonado (Lotus)
15. Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
16. Jenson Button (McLaren)
17. Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
18. Felipe Nasr (Sauber)
19. Roberto Mehri (Marussia)
20. Will Stevens (Marussia)