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Tactical Triumph for Norris
The Straits Times
|August 04, 2025
Briton's one-stop strategy works a treat as McLaren 'close to perfect' in one-two finish
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BUDAPEST - Lando Norris trimmed McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri's lead in the drivers' world championship to just nine points on Aug 3 when he switched tactics to lead him home by just 0.698 of a second in a thrilling finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The 25-year-old Briton, who moved from a two-stop strategy to one stop, held off series leader Piastri, on fresher tyres, over the closing laps of a strategic contest to claim McLaren's 200th victory and their record 13th win in Hungary.
It was Norris' first win at the Hungaroring in the event's 40th race, avenging his "team orders" defeat in 2024 when Piastri claimed his maiden success, his fifth victory of the season and the ninth of his career.
The dominant McLaren pair finished almost 22 seconds clear of third-placed George Russell of Mercedes with pole-sitter Charles Leclerc of Ferrari fourth, grumbling at the Italian team's poor planning after he slipped out of the leading position.
"I wasn't planning to do a one-stop," said Norris.
"But it was the only option to get back into things and it was tough. Oscar was pushing all the way."
Piastri said he had done all he could to triumph.
This story is from the August 04, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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