Lando Norris showcased impressive form, clocking the fastest times in both practice sessions ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, with teammate Oscar Piastri trailing closely behind. In the first session, Piastri was only .019 seconds slower than Norris, and in the second, he finished .291 seconds behind. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured third place in both sessions.
Conversely, reigning champion Max Verstappen had a challenging day. Despite recently confirming his commitment to Red Bull until 2026, he struggled to find pace, finishing ninth in the first session and 14th in the second. Verstappen described driving his unbalanced car as akin to “driving on ice.” Compounding his difficulties, he faced an investigation after tossing a towel from his cockpit at speed. He later explained to the stewards that the towel had slipped from his lap and that he discarded it to avoid potential hazards inside the car. Red Bull received only a warning for the incident.
Fernando Alonso missed the first practice due to a back injury but returned for the second session, finishing fifth, just behind his Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll.
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri is keen to build on his previous win in Hungary, which was marked by a tense team dynamic. Last year’s race saw McLaren urging Norris to allow Piastri to overtake after a pit strategy mishap, making this a pivotal moment for team harmony. Piastri currently leads Norris by 16 points in the championship standings after his victory in Belgium, and both drivers are optimistic about their potential for success in Hungary.
McLaren is on the verge of achieving significant milestones, including their 200th win and potentially a fourth consecutive one-two finish, something the team hasn’t accomplished since 1988. Piastri expressed confidence in his ability to continue his strong performance throughout the season. He highlighted the mutual respect and trust between himself and Norris, emphasising that they are committed to keeping McLaren competitive and maintaining a positive team dynamic amidst the pressure of a title fight.
With both drivers showing promise and a spirit of collaboration, McLaren aims to navigate the challenges of the championship while fostering a supportive atmosphere, avoiding the pitfalls that have previously marred team relationships in Formula 1’s storied history.