McLaren celebrated a historic moment at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Lando Norris led a commanding 1-2 finish alongside teammate Oscar Piastri, marking the team’s 200th Formula 1 victory. Team principal Andrea Stella paid tribute to the legacy of Bruce McLaren, saying the team felt honored to reach this milestone while continuing in the founder’s footsteps. Stella, alongside McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, praised the squad’s collective effort in achieving this landmark result.
The race saw a strong performance from both McLaren drivers, especially in the closing stages when the pressure intensified. George Russell of Mercedes joined the duo on the podium after snatching third place from Charles Leclerc, who had started on pole but faded late in the race. Stella acknowledged the strategic challenge on race day, revealing that while a two-stop strategy was theoretically faster, Norris’s track position allowed him to successfully execute a one-stop strategy instead.
This decision paid off handsomely, with Norris managing his tyres exceptionally well throughout the event. By stretching his first stint on the medium tyres and carefully maintaining the hard compound in the latter half of the race, he ensured a consistent pace that ultimately brought him to victory. Stella emphasized that this adaptability and smart execution made all the difference for Norris compared to other drivers who were locked into more conventional strategies.
Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, showed impressive speed all weekend and was a serious contender for the win until the final laps. Stella praised both drivers for their competitive spirit and fair racing, noting how they embodied the principles of teamwork and integrity that define McLaren. He also highlighted the significance of achieving four consecutive 1-2 finishes, calling it a testament to the team’s unity and hard work across both the trackside crew and factory staff back in Woking.
Heading into the summer break, McLaren holds a commanding position in both championships. The team has opened up a 299-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ standings. In the drivers’ title fight, Oscar Piastri remains in the lead, but Norris’s latest win has trimmed the gap to just nine points. With five wins for Norris and six for Piastri across 14 races, McLaren appears well-positioned for a dominant second half of the season.
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