Lando Norris delivered a formidable display of pace and control during Friday’s practice sessions at the Hungaroring, firmly establishing himself as a frontrunner for the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver consistently outperformed his formidable teammate, Oscar Piastri, topping the timesheets in both vital sessions, a clear statement of intent for the weekend’s main event.

This dominant performance comes at a crucial juncture, particularly after the recent Belgian Grand Prix where Piastri gained an advantage, adding another layer of intrigue to their intra-team rivalry and the ongoing championship battle.

The Hungaroring, a circuit Norris has often cited as one of his favorites on the Formula 1 calendar, proved to be a fitting stage for his impressive showing, where he has historically maintained an unblemished record against teammates in qualifying.

Despite his commanding speed, there was a fleeting moment of anxiety for the British talent when he briefly ran wide at the final corner; however, his exceptional car control quickly brought the McLaren F1 machine back under command, averting any damage.

Further down the grid, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso secured respectable fourth and fifth positions respectively, with Alonso demonstrating resilience after missing the opening session due to a back injury, while Mercedes’ George Russell finished seventh.

Notably, reigning world champion Max Verstappen, fresh from committing his future to Red Bull, struggled to find pace, finishing a surprising 14th in practice and trailing Norris by more than 1.1 seconds, highlighting the competitive landscape.

Norris’s commanding start to the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend certainly bolsters his confidence heading into Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating Formula 1 showdown.