Lando Norris secured McLaren’s 200th Formula 1 victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, fending off teammate Oscar Piastri with a daring one-stop strategy. Based on an in-depth analysis of the team’s tactics, this strategic gamble proved pivotal despite a challenging start. This article outlines the race dynamics and McLaren’s decisive strategy that narrowed Norris’s championship points gap.
Norris faced a tough start at Hungaroring, dropping to fifth behind George Russell and Fernando Alonso. He quickly overtook Alonso, and McLaren’s engineer Will Joseph opted for a one-stop strategy, with Norris pitting once on lap 31 of 70. In contrast, Piastri followed a two-stop strategy, with his second stop on lap 46, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown as he closed in on Norris after passing Charles Leclerc.
Zak Brown, McLaren’s team principal, explained the calculated risk behind Norris’s one-stop strategy. “We hadn’t planned for a one-stop initially,” Brown stated. “But as the race unfolded, we saw an opportunity and decided to go for it, as there was little to lose.” This approach allowed Norris to maintain his lead, even as Piastri closed the gap to within DRS range in the final five laps, intensifying the battle.
In the race’s closing stages, Piastri attempted to overtake Norris but suffered a significant lock-up, preventing a successful move. Norris held firm, clinching the victory and reducing the championship points gap to nine ahead of the summer break. Brown praised both drivers for their “hard but fair” racing, commending the team’s near-flawless pit stops and strategic execution.
Norris’s triumph in Hungary highlights McLaren’s bold strategic approach, paying dividends in a fiercely contested race. With strong performances from both drivers, McLaren is well-positioned for the season’s second half. For deeper race insights and driver profiles, visit SPORTRIK.
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