Norris Strikes Back

Budapest, Hungary | World champion Lando Norris recovered from a difficult opening lap to claim his first victory of the season in a commanding Hungarian Grand Prix performance for McLaren.

The 26-year-old Briton crossed the line 15 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to secure the 12th win of his Formula One career. Mercedes driver and championship leader Kimi Antonelli completed the podium.

Norris started from pole position but ran wide at Turn Two during a frantic opening lap, allowing McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to take the lead. Verstappen moved into second while Lewis Hamilton climbed to fourth after passing Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.

George Russell endured a disastrous start when his Mercedes entered anti-stall on the grid. He dropped from sixth to 20th as Antonelli moved up to sixth.

Ferrari began the race on soft tires while most of the field chose mediums in scorching conditions. Air temperature reached 31 degrees Celsius, with the track measured at 51 degrees.

Hamilton began losing grip by Lap 10 and stopped four laps later in an attempt to undercut Verstappen. Red Bull responded on the next lap, but the Dutchman rejoined behind Hamilton before reclaiming the position with a move into Turn One.

The pit-stop cycle briefly placed Antonelli in front before Piastri resumed the lead ahead of Norris. McLaren brought the Australian in first after Norris requested a stop, leaving the Briton at the front by the halfway point.

Norris held a five-second advantage over Verstappen before making his second stop on Lap 40. He returned in third, ahead of Piastri, who had narrowly avoided a heavier collision with Carlos Sainz at Turn Two. The Williams driver received a five-second penalty for the incident.

Antonelli inherited the lead after Verstappen stopped again, although Norris quickly closed the gap on fresher tires. The McLaren driver passed the young Italian at Turn One on Lap 46 and immediately began building a comfortable advantage.

McLaren’s hopes of another one-two finish disappeared when Piastri slowed with gearbox trouble and retired. His stoppage triggered a Virtual Safety Car, allowing Norris, Hamilton and Leclerc to switch to soft tires.

Norris controlled the closing laps to repeat his Hungaroring victory from the previous season. McLaren has now won the Hungarian Grand Prix for three consecutive years.

“The car was unbelievable today,” Norris said over team radio. “It’s probably the best pace I’ve ever had. This track is good for us.”

Verstappen described the result as unexpected after struggling with his Red Bull throughout the weekend.

“We had to work very hard for this,” he said after securing another podium finish.

Antonelli held off Hamilton to finish third and increase his championship advantage over the Ferrari driver to 50 points. Hamilton received a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane but retained fifth behind Leclerc.

Isack Hadjar placed sixth in the second Red Bull, followed by Russell and Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson. Nico Huelkenberg earned Audi’s first points of the season in ninth, while rookie Arvid Lindblad completed the top 10.