Lando Norris delivered a commanding performance during Friday’s practice sessions at the Hungarian Grand Prix, asserting an early dominance over championship rival Oscar Piastri and signaling his intent for Sunday’s crucial race. The McLaren driver showcased exceptional pace and control, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling weekend at one of the calendar’s most challenging circuits.
Norris completed an impressive practice double, first edging out Piastri by a mere 0.019 seconds in the initial session before extending his lead to a more significant 0.291 seconds in the afternoon. This consistent speed underscored his comfort and familiarity with the Hungaroring, a track he has openly declared among his favorites and where he has a formidable record.
The stakes are particularly high for Norris, who currently trails his McLaren teammate Piastri by 16 points heading into the final race before the summer break. Their intensifying rivalry was evident last weekend at the rain-hit Belgian Grand Prix, where Piastri secured a comfortable win after overtaking Norris on the first racing lap, adding fuel to their championship battle.
Historically, Norris has never been outqualified by a teammate in his six prior visits to the Hungaroring, a testament to his consistent performance at this technical circuit. His early advantage today provides a psychological boost as he seeks to chip away at Piastri’s lead and regain momentum in his bid for the world championship title.
Despite his strong showing, Norris experienced a brief moment of concern when he ran wide at the final turn. However, he quickly regained control of his McLaren, narrowly avoiding contact with the wall and demonstrating his quick reflexes under pressure, ensuring his sessions remained largely uninterrupted.
Elsewhere on the grid, Charles Leclerc secured a respectable third place for Ferrari, though he was four tenths off Norris’s pace. Notably, Leclerc finished three positions ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who endured a challenging day. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion with a record eight wins and nine pole positions in Hungary, was three tenths adrift of Leclerc and voiced dissatisfaction with his car’s feel.
Hamilton’s struggles continued, including running off the road at the first corner due to a major lock-up in the first session, and later being outpaced by both Aston Martin drivers in the second running. Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso claimed fourth and fifth respectively, with Alonso making a strong return after missing the opening session due to a back injury, while George Russell concluded the day in seventh.
Perhaps the most surprising outcome of the practice sessions was Max Verstappen’s distant 14th place, finishing over 1.1 seconds slower than Norris. Verstappen, who recently committed his future to Red Bull for at least another season, expressed significant frustration, stating, “I don’t know what is going on. It is just undriveable.” His day concluded with a stewards’ investigation after he was seen throwing a towel out of his car, further adding to the unexpected drama.
