The first one-two finish this century puts McLaren in a position to challenge for both championships.
BUDAPEST, Hungary—It might have been a controversial finish for the McLaren Racing team. Thanks to a last-minute team order, Oscar Piastri won his maiden Grand Prix on Sunday at the Hungaroring. Lando Norris, who moved over for his Australian teammate two laps from the end, finished second. Lewis Hamilton took third in his Mercedes.
It is the first 1-2 finish for the Woking unit since 1999, and now the team trails Red Bull Racing by 51 points in the Constructor’s championship. Norris trails Verstappen by 76 points in the Driver’s championship.
Piastri took the lead early in the race by passing by Norris after the Briton tried to move to his right to block. Piastri managed to get through and take the lead, which he held at one point by nine seconds by the end of the race.
Norris took the lead on lap 50. Because Piastri had the lead early in the race and was running second then, Norris was told multiple times to slow down because of poor tires. Norris refused at first but then complied with team orders, slowing down with two laps to go, allowing Piastri to pass him and win the race.
“Very, very special; this is the day I’ve dreamed of as a kid standing on the top step of an F1 podium,” said Piastri afterward. “A bit complicated at the end, but I put myself in the proper position at the start and thank you to the team for a fantastic car. It’s a lot of fun racing with McLaren, and I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to be in F1. To be winning 18 months with them is an incredible feeling.”
Lando Norris: The team asked me to do it, so I did it. Two good drivers and a fantastic team. It’s still a difficult, long way to go. We’ll keep pushing.
Hamilton had a crucial battle with series leader and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, which ended suddenly with a few laps to go when the Dutchman locked his brakes up and struck Hamilton at the first corner, lifting Verstappen into the air. Verstappen recovered, but in the process, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc passed him for fourth place, with Verstappen settling for fifth.
Carlos Sainz finished sixth in the other Ferrari, with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez getting out of his slump by finishing the race in seventh. George Russell gave Mercedes a double-point finish in eighth, while Yuki Tsunoda gave RB more points in the team standings, taking ninth. Lance Stroll finished tenth in the Aston Martin. Only one driver failed to finish the race. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly retired his car on lap 35 due to a hydraulic system leak.
It won’t take long for the next race to occur as the drivers and teams head to the famous Spa-Franchorchamps circuit next week.
