Lando Norris clinched a vital victory in his Formula 1 championship pursuit by successfully implementing a unique 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, advancing from fifth place on lap one to triumph over his title rival, Oscar Piastri.
Piastri applied pressure on Norris in the closing laps with fresher tires, closing the gap within the DRS range. However, a lock-up on the penultimate lap cost Piastri valuable time, allowing Norris to maintain a comfortable lead and cross the finish line first.
The outcome leaves Norris trailing his championship contender by only nine points as they head into the summer break, setting the stage for an exciting battle between the two for individual accolades in the remaining ten races of the season. Additionally, McLaren appears well-positioned to secure the team title.
Joining Norris on the podium was George Russell, who displayed strong pace towards the end of the race. Charles Leclerc, the pole-sitter, led for the first half but lost out on strategy and struggled with grip later on. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, starting further back on the grid, were not competitive and faced post-race scrutiny over an incident at turn four.
Leclerc’s focus at the start was to maintain his lead, successfully executing a strong launch off the line to keep Piastri at bay. However, McLaren faced setbacks early on, with Norris losing ground due to a poor start. Despite initial challenges, Norris managed to regain positions but encountered difficulty overtaking Russell and Alonso.
As the race unfolded, Norris opted for a one-stop strategy, falling behind competitors who had pitted earlier but gaining a strategic advantage for the later stages. Verstappen, who made early overtakes but faced traffic after a pit stop, engaged in a tense battle with Hamilton, resulting in a post-race investigation.
Norris’s calculated one-stop plan proved effective, positioning him well within reach of leading cars when he made his pit stop. Piastri faced a crucial decision between challenging Leclerc or defending against Norris, ultimately opting to focus on his title rival. McLaren’s strategic call forced Ferrari to react, resulting in a pivotal moment that allowed Piastri to extend his lead over Norris.
After a well-timed pit stop, Piastri quickly closed the gap to Norris with his fresher tires, setting the stage for a thrilling finale. Despite Piastri’s strong pace, a last-ditch attempt to overtake Norris resulted in a lock-up, dashing his hopes of victory.
In the midst of the intense competition, Leclerc voiced frustration over his Ferrari’s performance, struggling to keep pace with his rivals. As Russell surged past Leclerc to secure a podium finish, the focus shifted to the battle between Piastri and Norris, culminating in Norris’s fifth win of the season.
