Lando Norris triumphed at the Hungarian Grand Prix after a dramatic strategic gamble paid off, overshadowing teammate Oscar Piastri’s race and slicing into the Australian’s championship advantage. The McLaren duo delivered another dominant performance, yet lingering questions remain about whether team decisions tilted in Norris’ favor.
The race opened disastrously for Norris, who tumbled from his starting position to fifth in the opening laps. However, McLaren’s bold decision to execute a one-stop strategy proved decisive, enabling the Briton to reclaim the lead and secure his fifth victory of the season. Norris’ clinical execution in the final stint sealed a result that could prove pivotal in the title fight.Piastri, who had led the championship
Piastri, who had led the championship heading into the weekend, adopted an aggressive undercut strategy aimed at jumping Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The move initially appeared promising but ultimately backfired, leaving Piastri grappling with tire degradation in the closing laps. Although he relentlessly pressured Norris, the Australian was forced to settle for second—a result that trims his championship margin to a slender nine points.
Post-race, Piastri acknowledged the contentious call with measured restraint: “I don’t know if trying to undercut Leclerc was the right decision in the end, but we can review that later,” he said. His words resonated with fans who questioned whether McLaren had subtly prioritized Norris, intensifying speculation of intra-team favoritism. Meanwhile, George Russell capitalized on Ferrari’s missteps to clinch third, as Leclerc faded to fourth amid frustrations over a late setup adjustment that compromised his race pace.
With the summer shutdown now underway, the narrative pivots toward Zandvoort and the Dutch Grand Prix on August 31—a contest likely to ignite further tension within McLaren’s garage and heap pressure on Ferrari to recalibrate after yet another squandered opportunity. The championship battle is tightening, and with nine points separating the leading protagonists, the season’s second act promises intrigue, strategy warfare, and no shortage of drama.
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