Norris shines as McLaren tighten grip on both titles ahead of summer break

LANDO Norris fifth win of the season in Budapest was a victory born not of dominance from the start, but of grit and quiet persistence.

- OBAKENG MELETSE

From a slow launch off the line to a forceful final flourish, the Briton pieced together another masterpiece under the Hungarian grey clouds, taming the twists of the Hungaroring when it mattered most to hand his team their 200th Grand Prix victory.

With 14 races done and dusted and the paddock slipping into its summer pause, McLaren stand tall at the top - commanding both championships.

Their run through the first half of 2025 has been a blend of precision, patience and pure performance.

The Surrey-based outfit has held control since the opening round, delivering more podium finishes than any other team and stretching out a remarkable 299-point lead in the Constructors’ Championship.

For McLaren, the only real battle from here may be the one happening internally.

Just nine points separate Norris and Oscar Piastri heading into the break. With the title fight shaping up as a two-horse race in orange, here are some key talking points from the weekend: