BUDAPEST, Hungary – Formula 1 vibrated with the Hungarian Grand Prix, where McLaren starred in an exciting internal duel that kept fans on the edge of their seats. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown summarized the race with a forceful phrase: “It was a good race!” The confrontation between McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, reached its peak on the penultimate lap, narrowly avoiding a collision. The race strategy, marked by risky tactical decisions, was key in the development of the competition.
The Strategy at the Center of the Discussion
Norris’s victory, his fifth of the season, was built on a one-stop box strategy, a bold decision that proved to be the most effective. Piastri, for his part, opted for two stops, a strategy that, in principle, seemed the most favorable.Norris, after a complicated start, saw how the alternative strategy opened the way to victory. The presence of Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari, in pole position, added an extra element of complexity to the race. The Ferrari driver initially led, but McLaren bet on divergent strategies to overcome their rival. Andrea Stella, McLaren team principal, explained that Piastri’s initial strategy was a two-stop strategy, aiming to overtake Leclerc on the first stop. Norris’s one-stop strategy, although not preferred, became a viable option thanks to his performance and tire management. The key to the one-stop strategy was the clean air that Norris was able to enjoy, allowing him to exploit the performance of the McLaren at the Hungaroring. Piastri, on the other hand, was held back by Leclerc in the early stages. Norris, when asked about a one-stop strategy, admitted it wasn’t his first choice, but considered it the best opportunity to aim for victory, even without the intervention of a safety car. The final battle between the McLaren drivers, with opposing strategies, generated an exciting confrontation in the final laps. Piastri, on newer tires, cut a gap of more than 10 seconds in 20 laps, seeking the overtake on the penultimate lap. A tire lock-up prevented him from completing the maneuver.It’s always a bit painful to lose a race by such a small margin, but I’m sure it was entertaining from the outside. It was entertaining from the inside too, a pretty fun race, but obviously, when you’re on the losing side of that battle, it’s a bit difficult.
Oscar Piastri
