Lando Norris clinched a vital victory in his Formula 1 championship quest by expertly executing a different race strategy at the Hungarian Grand Prix. While most drivers opted for two pit stops, the British driver managed to secure the win with just one tire change, moving up from fifth place on the first lap to ultimately triumph over his championship rival Oscar Piastri.
Piastri applied pressure on Norris in the closing stages of the race, closing in with fresher tires and almost overtaking him with a late lock-up that cost him valuable time. However, Norris held on and crossed the finish line first, narrowing the points gap to just nine behind his title contender as they head into the summer break for what promises to be an exciting battle in the remaining 10 races of the season. Meanwhile, McLaren looks set to secure the team’s title.
George Russell also joined the top finishers on the podium, displaying strong pace towards the end of the race. Charles Leclerc, who started from pole position, led in the first half but struggled with strategy and grip later on, allowing competitors like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who started from lower grid positions, to be out of contention and face scrutiny from stewards for an incident at turn four.
Leclerc’s strong start ensured he maintained the lead after the first lap, while McLaren faced challenges with Norris losing ground early on. The race unfolded into a strategic battle between Norris and Piastri, with Norris opting for a one-stop strategy to gain an advantage later in the race.
Verstappen made early overtakes but suffered from a pit stop strategy that placed him in traffic, affecting his race pace. A contentious move against Hamilton led to an investigation post-race, adding drama to the proceedings.
Despite Leclerc’s struggles with a second pit stop and an “undriveable” car, Russell eventually overtook him to secure a podium finish. Piastri closed in on Norris but failed to make a successful overtake, allowing Norris to claim his fifth win of the season.
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