Daijiworld Media Network- Budapest
Budapest, Aug 3: McLaren continued their dominant form this Formula One season with a spectacular 1-2 finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix, as Lando Norris fended off teammate Oscar Piastri in a thrilling race to secure victory on Sunday.
Marking McLaren’s 200th F1 win, the victory also marked their fourth consecutive 1-2 finish this year, solidifying their remarkable comeback story in the world of motorsport. Mercedes’ George Russell completed the podium in third place.
Norris, who opted for a challenging one-stop strategy, held off a late charge from Piastri, whose fresher tyres kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final lap. The Briton crossed the chequered flag just seven-tenths of a second ahead of his Australian teammate.
"I'm dead, it was tough!" laughed Norris after the race.
"It was not the plan to go for one stop, but it paid off. Oscar was catching fast and I had to push flat out. This win feels extra rewarding."
Piastri, speaking after the intense battle, said, "I knew Lando was on a one-stop, so I had to overtake him on track—which is never easy at this circuit."
Often dubbed as "Monaco without the walls," the Hungaroring is known for its limited overtaking opportunities.
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO, praised the team’s effort: "Everyone's going to sleep well tonight. The drivers were awesome—what a way to enter the summer break!"
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started from pole, was visibly frustrated after finishing fourth, blaming a questionable strategy call by his team. The Scuderia continues its hunt for a maiden win this season.
Fernando Alonso, battling a sore back, drove impressively to take fifth for Aston Martin. He was followed by Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), and Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls).
In a surprising result, Max Verstappen, making his 200th start for Red Bull, had to settle for ninth, while his former teammate Kimi Antonelli rounded off the top ten. Lewis Hamilton, now with Ferrari, endured a forgettable race, finishing 12th.
With this win, Norris closes the gap to just nine points behind Piastri in the drivers’ standings as the championship heads into its mid-season break.