McLaren’s 200th Formula 1 victory will be remembered for its intensity, teamwork, and just a hint of intra-team chaos. After starting third, Norris clawed his way back with a bold one-stop strategy, while Piastri went aggressive on a two-stopper. That gamble set up a thrilling head-to-head in the final 20 laps.
Lando Norris delivered a gutsy win at the Hungarian Grand Prix, edging out McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in a dramatic late-race showdown. The Briton pulled off a perfectly judged one-stop strategy to take his second win of the season by the slimmest of margins. Piastri chased hard with fresher tyres, but Norris held firm in a breathtaking finish.
Piastri cut a 10-second deficit down to one. On Lap 69, he lunged at Turn 1, locking up but missing Norris by inches. The Briton kept his cool and defended brilliantly, securing the win with just one lap remaining.
“I’m dead. It was tough,” Norris admitted. “We weren’t really planning the one-stop, but it became our only option. I was pushing flat out with Oscar catching. It makes it even more rewarding.”
Piastri was gracious in defeat. “I pushed as hard as I could. I had to overtake on track, and that’s not easy here. We were just on the wrong side of the gamble today.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started from pole, faded late and was passed by George Russell for third. He was later hit with a five-second penalty for a clumsy move on Russell but still finished fourth.
Behind them, Fernando Alonso was fifth for Aston Martin, while rookie Gabriel Bortoleto continued to impress in sixth. Lance Stroll followed in seventh, with Liam Lawson in eighth and Max Verstappen in ninth after a forgettable weekend for Red Bull.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli took the final point for Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton’s woes continued as he finished 12th in his Ferrari debut season.
The title fight remains tight. Piastri still leads, but Norris’ win cuts the gap to just nine points heading into the Dutch Grand Prix on August 31.
