Lando Norris claimed victory at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix after a tense late-race battle with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc fell short after starting from pole.
The last race before Formula 1’s summer break delivered high drama at the Hungaroring, with thrilling on-track duels, strategic gambles, and off-track surprises.
McLaren Dominate, Norris Narrowly Beats Piastri
McLaren capped off the first half of the season with their seventh 1-2 finish, as Norris held off a determined Oscar Piastri in the final laps. The two were locked in a close contest after diverging strategies brought them together in the final stint.
Piastri, on fresher tyres, mounted a late charge on Norris—who had committed to a bold one-stop strategy—but couldn’t make a move stick, narrowly avoiding contact in one late lunge.
With the win, Norris closes the gap to Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship to just nine points.
Leclerc Falls Back After Pole, Russell Takes Podium
Charles Leclerc started from pole after a surprise qualifying performance but struggled to maintain race pace. He was overtaken by both McLarens and later lost third place to George Russell, who secured Mercedes’ first podium since Canada.
Leclerc’s frustrations were compounded by a five-second penalty for erratic driving and a chassis issue that cost him critical performance. “Very disappointed,” he admitted post-race.
On the other side of the Ferrari garage, Lewis Hamilton endured another dismal weekend, qualifying and finishing in 12th. “I’m glad it’s over,” the seven-time world champion said bluntly.
Aston Martin Bounce Back in Style
Aston Martin had their best weekend of the season, with Fernando Alonso finishing fifth and Lance Stroll seventh. A week after struggling at Spa, the team’s sharp turnaround moved them up to sixth in the Constructors’ standings.
“We really needed this,” Alonso said. “Now we need to understand why it worked here and carry that forward.”
Bortoleto Shines for Sauber with Career-Best Finish
Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto impressed again for Kick Sauber, finishing sixth—his best F1 result yet. The Brazilian used a smart one-stop strategy and out-qualified Max Verstappen to set up the strong finish.
“The team gave me an amazing car,” Bortoleto said. “We couldn’t have ended the first half of the season any better.”
Camara Clinches F3 Championship in Style
Ferrari Academy driver Rafael Camara sealed the Formula 3 title with a dominant wet-weather win in Budapest. The Brazilian now holds back-to-back junior series titles, having won the Formula Regional European Championship in 2024.
“All the hard work paid off,” Camara said after his fourth victory of the season for Trident.
Hungaroring Redevelopment Gets Praise
The newly upgraded Hungaroring received widespread acclaim after completing major updates. The circuit now features expanded paddock space, sleek new media facilities, a 10,000-seat grandstand, and VIP areas—all in time for the venue’s upcoming 40-year anniversary in 2026.
The improvements helped sell out Sunday’s race and boosted Budapest’s reputation as a must-visit F1 destination.
Celebrity Sightings Add Star Power
Hungary had its fair share of celebrity appearances this weekend. Anya Taylor-Joy and Jamie Dornan were spotted in the paddock, while Axl Rose waved the chequered flag. Marvel actor Anthony Mackie (Captain America) also made a surprise visit, meeting Haas driver and superfan Esteban Ocon.
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