Lando Norris Wins Hungarian Grand Prix As George Russell Makes Podium

Lando Norris clinched a hard-fought Hungarian Grand Prix victory in a McLaren one-two podium finish and extended his race victory to five this season. 

George Russell made a front row position in third and his fifth podium appearance of this season. Meanwhile, the race was controlled by the McLaren duo soon after drivers began to pit for fresh tyres. It was a close-shaved victory between the peers, with Norris edging his teammate to finish quickest in 1:35:21.231 seconds. 

It was a disappointing race for the pole-setter. Charles Leclerc, who dropped behind to finish fourth. He led the race for most of the earlier parts. Eventually, he could not keep up with the challenges from McLaren and lost the provisional pole as his McLaren rivals moved ahead. Piastri gained DRS on Ferrari on lap 51, and sped by without the Monagasque driver making any effort to fight back. 

"This is so incredibly frustrating. We've lost all competitiveness," Lecelrc expressed his frustration in a radio conversation with his team. "Mow, it's just undriveable. Undriveable. It's a miracle if we finish on the podium."

Fernando Alonso was impressive throughout the laps. He maintained a strong contest to remain in the front row and finished in fifth. Max Verstappen pitted first, having started in P8, but the Red Bull could not pull a string on the front row drivers. Rather, he got into a battle with Lewis Hamilton, narrowly swerving off to avoid a collision at Turn 4  on lap 29. 

Leclerc's earlier impressive start was made worse after he was served a five-second penalty for driving erratically. It happened when George Russell gained DRS on Charles on lap 62 and moved in on the inside lane before Leclerc turned in him, but the Mercedes swerved out to avoid an infringement.

McLaren Getting Off the Grid And Aston Martin, Mercedes Challenge 

Unlike his rival, Lecelrc got off the grid ahead in pole with Pistri trailing, while Norris dropped two places behind and Russell and Alonso moved ahead. Norris locked up at Turn 1, avoiding an infringement on Alonso as Russell moved on the inside and moved to third.  

Norris' quick move on the inside to overtake Piastri gave away the opportunity for Russell and Alonso as his teammate fought back by covering. Russell and Alonso gained space on the outside lane, and Norris dropped two places to fifth.  It was a brilliant start for the McLaren duo, regardless. 

Ferrari's Dilemma and McLaren's Gain

The McLaren duo improved from behind the pole-setter, Charles Leclerc, and even worse, Norris dropped behind to fifth on the first lap. He gradually built up the pace, gained the front row position, and deployed the right pitting strategy. 

Oscar Piastri gave it a good fight on lap 69, but risked costing himself greater damages and held off by locking up his front wheel while exiting the corner as his teammate raced on to see the chequered flag first. 

Ferrari's Leclerc could not maintain the pole and control the pace throughout the laps because Piastri kept close tabs, leading to moments when they used their pitting strategies to get ahead. Norris fought his way through the pack from behind. 

Hungarian Grand Prix Top 10 Standings 

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)    1:35:21.231s 

2. Oscar Piastri (McLren)

3. George Russell (Mercedes)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martins)

6. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)

7. Lance Stroll (Aston Martins)

8. Liam Lawson (RB)

9. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 

10. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)