Lando Norris claimed his first win of the season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking his return to the top step of the podium since his triumph in Sao Paulo last November. This result serves as the first win of the year for both Norris and the McLaren team.
While Norris enjoyed a smooth path to victory, the final stages of the race featured a heated battle for the remaining podium spots between Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli. Verstappen ultimately defended his position, allowing Antonelli to take third. This result pushes Antonelli’s lead in the championship standings to 50 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton and 59 points ahead of George Russell, who struggled early on and finished in seventh place.
Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, crossed the finish line close behind Antonelli but was demoted to fifth following a five-second penalty for a pit lane speeding violation, placing him behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. Oscar Piastri, Norris’ teammate, dominated the opening half of the event before being forced to retire due to a gearbox issue. The race was marked by complex tactical decisions, including a strategy move by McLaren that drew criticism from Piastri, while Red Bull found success with a risky strategy that helped Verstappen secure second place.