Lando Norris clinched a critical victory in his Formula 1 championship campaign by executing a clever alternative strategy at the Hungarian Grand Prix. While most drivers opted for two pit stops, the British racer managed to triumph with just one tire change, progressing from fifth place on lap one to outshine his rival, Oscar Piastri.
Piastri intensified the pressure on his teammate in the final laps, closing in with fresher tires. However, a nearly disastrous lock-up on the penultimate lap cost him valuable time, allowing Norris to secure the lead comfortably.
This outcome narrows the gap between Norris and his title contender, setting the stage for an exciting showdown between them in the remaining ten races of the season. Meanwhile, McLaren appears well-positioned to secure the team title.
Joining the fray on the podium was George Russell, who displayed strong performance in the latter stages. Despite starting at pole position, Charles Leclerc led the race initially but faltered due to strategic issues and grip problems later on. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton faced challenges after starting from lower grid positions and were summoned for post-race stewards’ review regarding an incident at turn four.
Leclerc’s remarkable start ensured he maintained his lead after the first lap, preventing Piastri from making any passing attempts. McLaren encountered difficulties early on, with Norris struggling at the start, allowing competitors to overtake him. As the race unfolded, Norris and McLaren faced a tough battle to catch up with the leading Ferrari.
Norris opted for a one-stop strategy, sacrificing immediate pace for a potential advantage later in the race, leading to an intriguing strategic duel with Piastri. Verstappen, despite a strong start, faced setbacks after an early pit stop backfired, causing him to lose ground.
In the midst of the action, Norris successfully executed his one-stop plan, staying within striking distance of the frontrunners before making a crucial pit stop. Piastri, presented with strategic choices, focused on challenging Norris. McLaren’s tactical bluff forced Ferrari to react, benefiting Piastri’s race strategy.
Despite Leclerc’s frustrations with pit stop timing and car performance, he struggled to maintain competitiveness, eventually yielding to Russell. As Piastri closed in on Norris with superior tires, a late attempt to overtake resulted in a critical error, sealing Norris’ fifth win of the season.
The intense race action sets the stage for an engaging battle between Norris and Piastri in the upcoming races.
