The Hungarian Grand Prix final practice session witnessed a dominant display from McLaren F1, with Oscar Piastri narrowly edging out his teammate Lando Norris in a thrilling prelude to qualifying. This intense intra-team battle underscored McLaren’s formidable pace on the Hungaroring circuit, signaling their strong contention for pole position and highlighting the competitive spirit within the Formula 1 team.
Both McLaren drivers, Piastri and Norris, delivered exceptional lap times, clocking 1 minute 14.916 seconds and 1 minute 14.948 seconds respectively. Their performance placed them a significant 0.399 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc in third place, truly demonstrating McLaren’s superior car setup and driver synergy during this crucial F1 Racing session. The razor-thin margin of just 0.032 seconds between the two teammates further intensified the anticipation for the upcoming qualifying rounds.
Piastri’s fastest lap was notably three-tenths quicker than Norris’s pole-winning time at last year’s Hungarian GP, setting the stage for a captivating duel. As temperatures are expected to rise for Saturday’s qualifying, requiring additional cooling for the cars, different teams might find conditions more to their advantage, adding another layer of strategic complexity to the F1 competition.
The close nature of the contest undoubtedly captivated visiting Formula 1 veteran Bernie Ecclestone, the sport’s retired former ringmaster. Ecclestone, who notably negotiated the inaugural Hungarian Grand Prix behind the ‘iron curtain’ in 1986, observed the session, perhaps reflecting on the evolution of this iconic F1 circuit and the persistent excitement of F1 Racing.
As the session progressed, major teams began to make their presence felt. After a challenging Friday, Max Verstappen briefly led with a 1:16.547 lap. However, his time was soon surpassed by Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and eventually, Oscar Piastri, indicating the dynamic shifts in performance during the Hungarian Grand Prix practice.
The young Australian, Oscar Piastri, momentarily moved ahead of Russell with a 1:16.240 lap. Yet, this was not enough to withstand Verstappen’s improved pace, who then clocked a 1:16.202, half a second better than his best on Friday. The ebb and flow of the session kept F1 enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.
Contrary to Lewis Hamilton’s earlier struggles, Leclerc showcased impressive pace in his Ferrari, beating Verstappen after half an hour with a 1:16.137 lap. However, Piastri quickly reaffirmed his strong affinity for the Hungaroring circuit, returning with an even faster 1:15.871, a clear statement of intent from the McLaren F1 driver.
In a somewhat unexpected turn, Hamilton demonstrated the effectiveness of his overnight adjustments by rising to second place with a 1:16.015, surpassing Leclerc. This performance served as a powerful reminder of his status as a record eight-time winner at the Hungaroring, showcasing his enduring skill in Formula 1.
Lando Norris, initially in fifth, steadily climbed to third after 35 minutes, two-tenths behind Piastri. After a pit stop, Piastri set a blistering 1:14.916, a lap three-tenths faster than last year’s pole. Norris then followed suit, overhauling Hamilton and pushing Leclerc back, cementing McLaren F1’s dominant position ahead of qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
