The British driver claimed his fifth victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season, once again cutting the gap to his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in the championship standings. After a disastrous start, Lando Norris managed to overturn the situation and climb from fifth place to first at the Hungarian Grand Prix, delivering an impressive performance just before the summer break.
From fifth to first: Norris delivers a comeback win
Lando Norris can truly enjoy this one, and rightly so. His victory at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, coming just before Formula 1 enters its summer break, was a pivotal moment in his championship campaign. The points gap to Oscar Piastri, his teammate at McLaren, is now down to just nine points. After the opening lap of the race, however, it seemed unlikely Norris would be able to close that gap.
Starting from third position on the grid, car number 4 of McLaren dropped to fifth by the time the pack reached Turn 1, following a poor getaway. What initially looked like a major setback and a blow to his chances of victory soon turned into an unexpected strategic advantage. With nothing left to lose, Lando Norris and his team opted for a bold one-stop strategy. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri became locked in a strategic battle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes driver George Russell, ultimately committing to a two-stop approach.
A tyre management masterclass
“It was a tough race. We didn’t plan to go for a one-stop strategy initially, but after the first lap, it became our only real opportunity to get back in the race,” said Lando Norris in the post-race interview with Formula 1’s official channel. “I was pushing as hard as I could. This is the perfect result for us today. Honestly, I didn’t think we would win, but I believed we could finish second because I knew our pace was strong. A strategy like this is always a bit of a gamble—it requires consistently fast laps and zero mistakes. We’re fighting hard, both of us. It’s a tough battle, but it’s fun racing against Oscar.”
Speaking to Sky Sport F1 shortly after, the reigning vice world champion emphasized his skill in tyre management—an area where he subtly hinted he might have an edge over teammate Oscar Piastri. “That is definitely one of my key strengths. At the start of the first stint, we made the decision to extend it in order to create an opportunity,” said Norris. “This was probably one of my best races. Like on several other occasions this season, I think managing the race was really my biggest strength today.”
When asked how he now approaches the summer break, Lando Norris replied confidently: “With the same belief I had before. I have good confidence in myself—nothing more and nothing less. I know I have to keep working hard because this is a very tough challenge. But I genuinely believe I can do it.”
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