Norris Wins Hungary GP After Holding Off Piastri in Late Duel

Hungarian GP: Norris Holds Off Piastri to Win, Leclerc Fades from Pole

Lando Norris delivered a gritty defensive performance to win the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, holding off McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in a tense finish to close the gap in the F1 title race to just nine points before the summer break.

Despite slipping to fifth on the opening lap, Norris executed a bold one-stop strategy, stretching his hard tyres over 39 laps to edge Piastri, who was on fresher rubber in the final laps.

“I’m dead,” Norris said after the race. “Oscar was catching quickly at the end. It was flat out every lap.”

Piastri Pushes, Norris Defends

Piastri, who ran a conventional two-stop race, closed a nine-second gap in the final 19 laps and launched two late dives at Turn One, but Norris held firm on a track notorious for limited overtaking.

“Once I saw he was on a one-stop, I knew I’d have to pass him on track,” said Piastri. “That’s not easy here. We were just on the wrong side of it today.”

Russell Denies Leclerc Podium as Ferrari Struggles

George Russell claimed third for Mercedes, overtaking Charles Leclerc after Ferrari’s pole-sitter dropped off dramatically in the closing stages.

Leclerc, frustrated over energy management and strategy decisions, was eventually handed a five-second penalty for erratic driving while defending against Russell.

Ferrari boss Frédéric Vasseur confirmed the Monegasque had a post-pitstop car issue:

“There was a problem, but we’re still investigating.”

Alonso, Bortoleto Deliver for Aston Martin & Sauber

Fernando Alonso pulled off a masterclass in tyre management, finishing fifth on a one-stop strategy, Aston Martin’s best result of the season. His Sauber protégé Gabriel Bortoleto followed in sixth, delivering another strong finish after choosing a similar strategy.

Lance Stroll came seventh, helping Aston Martin jump to sixth in the Constructors’ standings, overtaking Sauber by one point.

Hamilton 12th, Verstappen 9th in Weekend to Forget

Lewis Hamilton, who qualified 12th, finished in the same spot after a long first stint on hard tyres failed to yield results. The one-stop attempt left him stuck in traffic, and Ferrari’s strategy gamble didn’t pay off.

Max Verstappen, meanwhile, could only manage ninth in a Red Bull that’s been off the pace all weekend. He finished behind Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls and ahead of Kimi Antonelli, who took the final point for Mercedes.

Norris fought back from fifth after the first lap

Championship Picture

Norris’ win tightens the championship race, with Piastri’s lead now cut to nine points as Formula 1 heads into the summer break. Ferrari’s missed opportunity from pole and Red Bull’s continued slump only add more intrigue to the second half of the season.