Norris Triumphs in Hungary as McLaren Seals Historic 1-2 Finish

McLaren' Lando Norris

McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed victory at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, securing his fifth win of the season and McLaren's 200th Formula 1 victory. Norris held off teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished in second place, with Mercedes’ George Russell rounding off the podium in third after a strong battle.

“I’m dead, it was tough, we weren’t really planning on a one-stop at the beginning but after the first lap it was kind of our only option to get back into things,” Norris reflected after the race. “It was tough in the final stint with Oscar catching. I was pushing flat out, you know, so my voice has gone a little bit. It feels good and rewarding a little more because of that but a good result today.”

The 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix got off to a dramatic start with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc having to defend from both McLarens off the line. McLaren’s Norris made a strong start but was eventually boxed in and pushed down two places, while Piastri held onto second. Russell and Alonso capitalized on Norris' compromised positioning, with Russell moving into third and Alonso into fourth by the end of the opening lap.

By lap 3, Norris had regained one of the places, moving back up to fourth, while Max Verstappen also gained a position. On the other hand, Hamilton, starting on hard tyres, struggled with grip and lost two positions, dropping to 14th.

Leclerc continued to lead, with Piastri 2.5 seconds behind and Russell holding onto third. On lap 19, Piastri made an early pit stop for hard tyres in an attempt to undercut Leclerc, who pitted at the end of the lap along with Russell. Norris, who had yet to pit, inherited the lead after the pit stops.

By lap 31, Norris completed his pit stop for hard tyres. As the race continued, Norris held fourth, with Piastri maintaining second, behind Leclerc and ahead of Russell. After the second pit stops from the top three, Norris regained the lead, while Piastri moved into third following his second stop on lap 46.

The battle for the top spots intensified in the final laps. On the penultimate lap, Piastri, who had already taken second place from Leclerc, attempted a bold move on Norris for the lead into Turn 1. However, he locked up, losing any chance to pass his teammate.

“I think I needed to be a couple of tenths closer, and it was going to take a mistake from Lando to achieve that. You never want to try and save it for the next lap and it never comes, so thought I would at least try, but not quite,” said Piastri.

Norris managed to hold on to his position and take the win. Piastri finished second, while Russell completed the podium in third after making a clean pass on Leclerc into Turn 1 on lap 62.

“Just glad to get through it and a good way to go into the break,” reflected Russell after the race.

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso finished in fifth, with Gabriel Bortoleto of Sauber taking sixth. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll came home in seventh, while Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson crossed the line in eighth. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing finished in ninth, and Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes rounded out the top 10.

Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls finished in 11th, with Ferrari’s Sir Lewis Hamilton in 12th. Kick Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg took 13th, followed by Williams’ Carlos Sainz Jr. in 14th and Alexander Albon in 15th. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon finished in 16th, while Red Bull Racing’s Yuki Tsunoda came home in 17th. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto took 18th, and Pierre Gasly, also from Alpine, finished 19th. Haas’ Oliver Bearman retired from the race on lap 69, finishing in 20th.

Oscar Piastri continues to lead the Drivers' Championship with 284 points, closely followed by his teammate Lando Norris, who is just 9 points behind in second with 275 points.

Reigning champion Max Verstappen is third in the Drivers' Championship with 187 points. In the Constructors' Championship, this result adds to McLaren’s already significant lead, now at 559 points, with Ferrari in second on 260 points and Mercedes in third with 236 points.

This victory marks McLaren’s fourth consecutive 1-2 finish in Formula 1, the first since the iconic Senna and Prost partnership in 1988. It’s a significant milestone for the team, reinforcing their dominance in the 2025 season.

With the Hungarian Grand Prix now behind us, Formula 1 heads into its traditional summer break. This brief pause gives teams and drivers the opportunity to regroup and refresh before the intense second half of the season. The break also serves as a strategic reset as the championship battle enters its final stretch.

The 2025 Formula 1 season will resume at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort from August 29 to 31, 2025. The competition will heat up once again as the drivers return to the track and continue their pursuit of the title.