Strategy gamble pays off for McLaren star Norris

LANDO Norris held off a late charge from Oscar Piastri to win the Hungarian Grand Prix and reduce his world championship rival's lead to nine points.

- PHILIP DUNCAN

Norris was running in fourth place but benefited from stopping for tyres one fewer time than his rivals to land his fifth victory of the season.

The British driver took the flag just six tenths ahead of Piastri, who went within centimetres of colliding with Norris on the last-but-one lap when he locked up his front-right tyre at the opening corner.

"Remember how we go racing, Oscar," came the warning from his race engineer Tom Stallard.

George Russell passed Charles Leclerc with eight laps to go to take the final spot on the podium.

Pole-sitter Leclerc had to settle for fourth. Lewis Hamilton, who urged Ferrari to replace him after he qualified only 12th, finished in the same position, a lap down.

Norris' win in the concluding round before the summer break - his third triumph from his last four appearances - reignites his bid to land a maiden world crown. But the West Countryman can count himself somewhat fortunate to be standing on the top step of the podium.