The Hungarian Grand Prix’s final practice session set the stage for an electrifying qualifying, with Oscar Piastri asserting dominance over McLaren teammate Lando Norris, while reigning champion Max Verstappen faced unexpected struggles.

Piastri’s razor-thin advantage of just three hundredths of a second over Norris underscored the escalating rivalry within the McLaren camp. This close margin, following Norris’s lead in previous sessions, indicates a thrilling intra-team battle for pole position.

The intensifying competition between the McLaren drivers also carries significant weight in the broader championship narrative. With Piastri currently holding a 16-point lead over Norris, their performance in Budapest, the final race before the summer break, could prove crucial in their quest for the drivers’ title.

McLaren’s consistent excellence was further highlighted by Piastri’s impressive lap time of 1:14.916, which significantly outpaced Norris’s pole effort from last year. This demonstrates the constructor’s formidable pace and their strong contention for the Constructors’ Championship in 2025.

Beyond the McLaren duel, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc emerged as the best of the rest, securing third place, four tenths behind Piastri. Lewis Hamilton, despite taking fourth, remained notably off his teammate’s pace, emphasizing the challenging conditions for all teams. Other notable performances included Kimi Antonelli in fifth, outperforming George Russell, and the surprising strong showing from Aston Martin duo Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

In stark contrast to McLaren’s ascendancy, Max Verstappen’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive world championship hit a snag as Red Bull’s tough weekend continued. The Dutchman finished a surprising 12th, with teammate Yuki Tsunoda even further back in 19th, signaling potential difficulties for the dominant team.

Despite Verstappen’s recent confirmation of his commitment to Red Bull for the 2026 season, the team’s performance has raised concerns, especially with Piastri already holding an 81-point lead in the drivers’ standings. Team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged their struggles since Friday, admitting difficulty in finding the optimal car setup for both drivers.

As the focus shifts from practice to the critical qualifying session, the outcome remains highly unpredictable. While Red Bull hopes for a customary improvement from Verstappen, the razor-thin margins between Piastri and Norris suggest that the Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying will be a pure test of driver skill, with the cleanest lap likely securing pole.

Formula 1 enthusiasts eagerly await the thrilling conclusion to the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Fans can anticipate intense competition as drivers battle for crucial championship points before the anticipated summer break.