Almost halfway into the 2026 Formula One season, the grid finally saw its third team cross the checkered flag in front, as McLaren star Lando Norris notched his team’s first victory this year after an impressive showing in the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The reigning world champion was also the first non-Mercedes driver to sit in pole position this season, cruising to a comfortable 15-second gap victory ahead of Red Bull standout Max Verstappen and current points leader Kimi Antonelli.
“What pleases me the most… the fact that the car was very strong today… We were just on another level today… and when the car’s good and when I’m in a good flow, there’s no stopping,” Norris said post-race.
McLaren Falls Short of 1-2 Podium
With both Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri looking poised for a 1-2 finish in the Hungaroring circuit, things quickly turned south for the Australian driver in the 56th lap, as a suspected gearbox failure forced Piastri to retire. Prior to the issue, Piastri also collided with Williams driver Carlos Sainz in the 38th lap but remained in the race.
Piastri bested Norris in the opening seconds of the race, overtaking his teammate in Turn 2 after starting in third place on the grid, and led for a total of 38 laps in his tilt in Hungary.
Despite the late retirement, McLaren still hauled in enough points to solidify itself in third place in the constructors’ championship with 220, while Norris remains fifth in the drivers’ standings with 128.
George Russell Endures Bad Start
Initially starting the race in sixth place, Mercedes driver George Russell experienced an anti-stall issue as the five lights went out, immediately dismantling the British driver’s race and sending him to P17.
Despite the nightmarish start, Russell still went on to finish the race in 7th, securing more points for Mercedes as it remains in front of the constructors’ standings with 379—a comfortable lead over Ferrari’s 307.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton received yet another five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, dropping from fourth to fifth. This now marks the third consecutive race in which the British driver has been penalized.
Nico Hulkenberg also made history for the Audi Revolut F1 Team, as his P9 finish secured him his first points for his new squad.
The grid resumes action on August 23 when it visits Circuit Zandvoort for the Netherlands Grand Prix.
