2025 Hungarian Grand Prix: Norris turns the race around, Ferrari loses ground, Leclerc tumbles

Some wins define a season, even a career. The one by Lando Norris this Sunday in Budapest is clearly one of them. Starting third on the grid, the Briton turned a difficult start to the race into a real masterstroke, taking advantage of a bold McLaren strategy and exceptional control at the key moments.

From the moment the lights went out, the Grand Prix seemed to be slipping away from Norris. While Charles Leclerc, on pole, kept the advantage, Oscar Piastri moved up to the front thanks to a perfectly judged getaway. But as so often this season, it was in the pits and with a good sense of rhythm that McLaren made the difference. A gamble on a single stop and perfect tyre management allowed Norris to come back strongly, eventually retaking the lead in the final laps.

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🎯 Leclerc caught out, Russell opportunistic

For Ferrari, the day turned into a nightmare. After a well-controlled first half of the race, Leclerc found himself bogged down in an uninspired strategy, then hit by a technical issue from lap 45. A 5-second penalty for a contentious move on Russell sealed his fate: no podium for the Monegasque, who finished a dejected 4th.

George Russell, for his part, could not have asked for more. Thanks to a clean race and impressive consistency, he climbed onto the third step of the podium and salvaged the day for Mercedes.

🔥 McLaren on top, Verstappen in doubt

The one-two by Norris-Piastri confirms McLaren's dominance of the 2025 season. The papaya team seems to have found the recipe for consistency, combining sharp strategy and pure performance.

At Red Bull, on the other hand, the verdict is bitter. Max Verstappen, unable to move up through the field, finished only 9th. "The car was very slow, no pace at all," he said, visibly weary.

🏆 Top 10: 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix

1️⃣ Lando Norris (McLaren)
2️⃣ Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
3️⃣ George Russell (Mercedes)
4️⃣ Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5️⃣ Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
6️⃣ Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick-Sauber)
7️⃣ Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
8️⃣ Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
9️⃣ Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
🔟 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

🧨 An unstoppable momentum

With this new success, Lando Norris confirms he is much more than an outsider. His consistency, composure and ability to capitalise at key moments make him a serious title contender. Oscar Piastri, despite slight frustration at finishing behind, continues to impress. The McLaren duo now sets the tempo of the championship.

source: https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/formule-1/