Oscar Piastri Aims to Extend Championship Lead at Hungarian Grand Prix, Returning to Scene of First F1 Victory
Oscar Piastri is back at the scene of his first Formula One victory, leading the championship and looking to extend his advantage over McLaren teammate Lando Norris as the August break approaches. The young Australian driver has taken the F1 world by storm this season, winning six of the 13 grands prix, a record for any Australian driver in a single year.
Piastri, now 24, holds a 16-point lead over Norris, with 11 races remaining in the season. “I’m really excited to go back. It’s always a fun weekend. It’s a great city, a cool track as well,” Piastri remarked after clinching a rain-delayed victory in Belgium last Sunday, marking McLaren’s sixth one-two finish of the season. “But as soon as we get on track, you forget about that immediately.”
The Hungaroring, known for its hot and twisty layout, presents a unique challenge for drivers, making qualifying crucial for race success. Last year, Norris secured pole position but lost the lead to Piastri at the start. The race unfolded with team dynamics at play, as Norris was eventually ordered to relinquish the lead back to Piastri after a slower pit stop. This year, he will be eager to claim victory without any such controversy.
McLaren’s dominance sets the stage for an intriguing battle between the teammates. As for who else might join them on the podium, Lewis Hamilton, with a record eight wins at the Hungaroring, is looking to make a statement. Hamilton finished third last year, trailing behind the McLarens, and is optimistic after recent upgrades from Ferrari. “In the last few races, we’ve made progress in terms of competitiveness,” said Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur.
George Russell, who clocked the fastest lap at the Hungaroring last year, and his Mercedes team are seeking improvement after a disappointing performance in Belgium. “Our performances in recent races have not been up to our standards,” said team boss Toto Wolff, indicating that they have work to do.
Additionally, this race marks Max Verstappen’s 200th outing for Red Bull, and he will aim to build on his previous victories in Hungary (2022 and 2023).
