Norris outwits teammate Piastri in strategic duel

LANDO Norris trimmed McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri’s lead in the drivers’ world championship to just nine points yesterday when he switched tactics to lead him home by just 0.698 seconds in a thrilling finish to the Hungarian Grand Prix.

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The 25-year-old Briton, who moved from a two-stop strategy to one, held off series leader Piastri - on fresher tyres — over the closing laps of a strategic contest to claim McLaren's 200th victory and a record 13th win in Hungary.

It was Norris's first win at the Hungaroring in the event's 40th edition, avenging his ‘team orders’ defeat in 2024 when Piastri claimed his maiden success. It was Norris’ fifth victory of the season and the ninth of his career.

The dominant McLaren pair finished 22 seconds clear of third-placed George Russell of Mercedes, with pole-sitter Charles Leclerc of Ferrari fourth, the Monegasque driver grumbling at the Italian team’s poor planning after he slipped from the lead.

‘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.