Lando Norris won the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, securing his first victory of the season and his Formula One title defence. Norris took advantage of a bizarre collision between his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri and Williams driver Carlos Sainz to reclaim the lead and cruise to the chequered flag.
Piastri's race unravels
Piastri had taken the lead from Norris after a sloppy start from pole by the defending champion. However, while trying to lap Sainz, Piastri's front-right tyre made contact with the rear-left of Sainz's car, forcing him off the road and losing up to two seconds. Norris immediately pitted for tyres and emerged in the net lead. Piastri's frustration was clear: "Get out of the f****** way you idiot, oh my God," he yelled over the radio. His race engineer, Tom Stallard, told him: "Oscar, that’s Sainz that cost us that," to which Piastri replied: "Oh mate, just don’t even f****** talk to me."
Hamilton penalty adds to woes
Lewis Hamilton finished fourth on the road but a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit-lane dropped him to fifth, behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton, who had been chasing Max Verstappen earlier, complained over the radio: "Handing out penalties like crazy." The penalty was his fourth sanction by the stewards in three rounds. Kimi Antonelli finished third, increasing his championship lead over Hamilton from 45 to 50 points.
Russell recovers from bad start
George Russell endured a nightmare start when his new Mercedes engine went into anti-stall as the lights went out, leaving him 19th at the end of lap one. He recovered to finish seventh, but now trails the championship leader by 59 points. Max Verstappen finished second, with Antonelli third.
Norris's path to victory
Norris excelled off the line but carried too much speed into the second corner, running wide and allowing Piastri to pass. Later, as Norris chased Piastri, he urged McLaren to order the Australian out of his way. Piastri gave up the lead when he pitted on lap 32, but his afternoon unravelled six laps later in the collision with Sainz. Norris pitted immediately and rejoined ahead. Piastri's gearbox then failed with 14 laps remaining, prompting a Virtual Safety Car that allowed Norris to make a third pit stop and retain the lead.
