McLaren 1-2 as Lando Norris Wins Hungarian Grand Prix
Lando Norris celebrated a spectacular victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix, leading a McLaren 1-2 finish by fending off a fierce late-race challenge from his teammate Oscar Piastri. Utilizing a strategic one-stop strategy, Norris claimed his fifth win of the season, narrowing Piastri’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship to just nine points.
Starting from pole position, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari quickly established a commanding lead, maintaining his position through the first round of pit stops despite Piastri’s attempts to undercut him. However, the race dynamics shifted as different strategies unfolded. While Leclerc and Piastri opted for a two-stop plan, Norris leveraged his one-stop strategy to gain an advantage in the closing laps.
As the race progressed, Leclerc’s pace began to falter, allowing Piastri to close in on Norris. The tension mounted as Piastri relentlessly pursued his teammate, setting the stage for an exhilarating finish. Despite several attempts to overtake, Piastri was unable to get past Norris, who crossed the finish line just 0.698 seconds ahead.
“I’m dead, I’m dead,” Norris joked after the race, reflecting on the intense competition. “It was tough. We weren’t really planning on the one-stop at the beginning, but it became our only option after the first lap. The final stint with Oscar catching me was challenging; I was pushing flat-out.”
George Russell secured third place for Mercedes, overtaking a struggling Leclerc, who ultimately finished fourth but received a five-second penalty for erratic driving. Fernando Alonso delivered a strong performance to finish fifth for Aston Martin, while rookie Gabriel Bortoleto followed closely in sixth.
The race featured several strategic battles and close calls, including a notable incident involving Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, which prompted an investigation but ultimately resulted in no penalties.
As the Formula 1 circuit heads into its traditional summer break, the excitement will build for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled for the end of August.
