Lando Norris wins Hungarian GP - first victory of season 2026

Lando Norris won the Hungarian Grand Prix with an assured drive for McLaren at the Hungaroring, securing his and the team’s first victory of the year. The 70-lap race featured dramatic battles, a late retirement for teammate Oscar Piastri, and a strong comeback from Kimi Antonelli.

Race Recap: Norris Dominates from Pole

Starting from pole, Norris held his lead through Turn 1, but Piastri surged from third to take second at Turn 2. Behind them, Lewis Hamilton moved from fifth to fourth, while Charles Leclerc dropped from second to fifth. Piastri controlled the race in clean air until the first pit stops, where Hamilton and Max Verstappen staged an entertaining fight.

Piastri’s Retirement Shakes Up the Order

On lap 56, Piastri’s McLaren suffered a gearbox failure while trying to lap backmarker Carlos Sainz in a Williams. The Australian retired in frustration, handing the lead to Norris. Verstappen inherited second, and Antonelli climbed from seventh to third after a strong recovery drive.

Key Battles and Penalties

Lewis Hamilton fought hard all race but received a five-second penalty, finishing fifth. Ferrari’s Leclerc took fourth. Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell stalled on the grid and dropped to 20th, but fought back to seventh. The result gives Antonelli a 50-point lead over Hamilton and 59 over Russell in the championship.

McLaren’s Upgrades Pay Off

McLaren has showed marked improvement since bringing upgrades to the MCL39. Norris made the most of the car’s pace, securing his second consecutive Hungarian GP win and the 12th of his career. McLaren extended their record of Hungaroring victories to 14.

Comparison Table: Top 5 Finishers

Key Takeaways

• Lando Norris claims first win of 2025 season for himself and McLaren.
• Oscar Piastri retired on lap 56 due to a gearbox problem while leading.
• Kimi Antonelli extends championship lead to 50 points over Hamilton.
• McLaren’s upgrades have transformed the car into a race-winning contender.
• George Russell’s stall on the grid cost him valuable championship points.

FAQ

With the summer break now underway, the F1 grid looks ahead to the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. McLaren will hope to carry this momentum into the second half of the season, while Red Bull and Mercedes seek to close the gap.

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