Lando Norris clinched a vital victory in his Formula 1 championship pursuit by expertly implementing a different race strategy at the Hungarian Grand Prix. While most drivers opted for two pit stops, the British driver managed to succeed with just one tire change, advancing from fifth place on lap one to a triumphant finish ahead of his rival, Oscar Piastri.
Piastri pressured Norris in the closing laps, closing the gap with fresher tires and utilizing the DRS zone. However, a lock-up on the penultimate lap cost him crucial time and allowed Norris to secure the lead comfortably.
The outcome narrows the points gap between Norris and his title contender, setting the stage for an exciting battle between them over the remaining ten races of the season, with McLaren almost certain of the team championship.
George Russell also stood on the podium, displaying strong performance towards the end of the race. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc, who started on pole, led in the first half but struggled with strategy and grip later on. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were out of contention due to starting positions and faced post-race scrutiny for an incident at turn four.
Leclerc’s initial task was to maintain his lead after the first lap, successfully fending off Piastri’s attempts. McLaren faced setbacks as Norris had a slow start, allowing rivals to overtake. Despite initial challenges, Norris managed to regain positions and engage in a strategy battle with Piastri.
Verstappen’s early strong start was hindered by an unfavorable pit stop timing, causing him to lose time in traffic. A move on Hamilton led to an investigation due to possible contact between the two drivers.
In the concluding stages, Norris executed a successful one-stop strategy, staying within the pit window of leading cars. Piastri had to choose between challenging Leclerc or focusing on Norris, eventually opting to target his title rival.
Piastri cleverly deceived Ferrari with a strategic bluff, maintaining track position and extending the gap ahead of Norris. Despite Piastri’s rapid approach with fresher tires, Norris defended his lead effectively, securing his fifth win of the season.
Leclerc voiced frustration with his Ferrari’s performance after an untimely pit stop, losing ground to competitors. Russell’s overtaking maneuver secured his podium finish, setting the stage for a tense battle as Piastri closed in on Norris.
Although Piastri had superior tires and pace, his late attempts to overtake were unsuccessful. A lock-up near the end dashed his chances, allowing Norris to claim victory.