Lando Norris finally clinched his first Formula 1 victory by taking the win at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone for both him and McLaren in the 2026 season. The British driver turned a thrilling afternoon into a historic achievement, especially after his teammate Oscar Piastri had to retire while leading the race. Norris crossed the finish line ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli rounding out the podium. This victory provided McLaren with a much-needed boost after a tough start to the season and showcased Norris’ ability to stay composed under pressure as he returned to the top step.
Starting from pole, Norris briefly led before losing the position to Piastri at Turn 2 on the opening lap. He then spent much of the race following his teammate, despite showing stronger pace during several stages. McLaren chose to keep the running order unchanged, allowing Piastri to stay in front while managing the race from the lead.
Lando Norris Takes Control After Oscar Piastri’s Misfortune In Hungary
The race changed during the second round of pit stops. Norris stayed out longer and used the extra laps to build pace. At the same time, Piastri lost valuable seconds after being forced off the road by Carlos Sainz’s Williams while being lapped. That delay allowed Norris to emerge ahead after his own stop and take control of the race.
McLaren’s hopes of a one-two finish ended with 14 laps remaining. Piastri reported a gearbox problem and retired, forcing a Virtual Safety Car. The team immediately asked Norris to avoid the exit kerbs and safely bring the car home. He managed the restart comfortably and never came under pressure, sealing his first victory of the season.
The timing of the Virtual Safety Car also reshaped the battle behind the leader. Verstappen, who had delayed his final pit stop compared to most frontrunners, gained track position and secured second place for Red Bull. Antonelli also benefited from his strategy. Mercedes had appeared to be attempting a one-stop race before switching to a late two-stop plan. Because he did not need to pit during the Virtual Safety Car, the rookie moved ahead of Ferrari and finished third.
Ferrari’s afternoon slipped away despite showing competitive pace. Lewis Hamilton received a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, dropping from fourth to fifth behind teammate Charles Leclerc. George Russell’s race was also damaged at the start after an anti-stall issue dropped him to the back of the field. He recovered to seventh but lost more ground in the championship. Isack Hadjar finished sixth for Red Bull, while Liam Lawson, Nico Hulkenberg and Arvid Lindblad completed the top 10. Gabriel Bortoleto narrowly missed the points in 11th as Racing Bulls and Audi shared the final scoring positions.
