Norris wins in Hungary after a strategic McLaren battle

August 3, 2025, F1 (Foto: XPBIMAGES)

he 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix delivered pure tension from start to finish. Lando Norris took a crucial win at the Hungaroring thanks to a bold one-stop strategy that contrasted with teammate Oscar Piastri’s two-stop plan. Norris held on at the end with less than a second gap between them.

At the start, Norris lost positions to George Russell and Fernando Alonso while trying to fight for the lead. Further back, Max Verstappen began climbing from eighth on the grid, overtaking Liam Lawson and Lance Stroll by lap four.

Both Sauber drivers were under investigation for a potential jump start, but only Nico Hülkenberg received a five-second penalty. Meanwhile, Leclerc, Piastri, and Verstappen opted for two stops, but McLaren split strategies. Norris stayed out longer and emerged in the lead by lap 28. In lap 32, McLaren executed the fastest pit stop of the season with a stunning 1.9-second service for Norris.

Track position proved critical. With the field tightly packed, every pit stop cost drivers 8 to 10 positions, making strategy even more decisive.

The first retirement came on lap 50 when Oliver Bearman’s Haas suffered a mechanical issue and was pulled from the race.

George Russell and Charles Leclerc fought a long, intense battle. Russell finally passed the Ferrari in lap 62 after multiple laps of chasing while both drivers were stuck behind backmarkers using DRS. On team radio, Russell complained that Leclerc was moving under braking on the straight, which is not allowed with DRS active, though no penalty was given.

On the final lap, Oscar Piastri made a last-ditch effort to overtake Norris. He locked up and nearly made contact but couldn’t complete the move. Norris held on and secured one of the most tactical wins of the season.

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

3. George Russell (Mercedes)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

6. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)

7. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

8. Liam Lawson (RB)

9. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

10. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

11. Isack Hadjar (RB)

12. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

13. Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber)

14. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

15. Alexander Albon (Williams)

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)

18. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

19. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

20. Oliver Bearman (Haas)