Max Verstappen finished ninth in the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday. The Dutchman, who started eighth, lacked pace in his Red Bull and also had an unfortunate strategy. Lando Norris kept Oscar Piastri behind him and won a tactically interesting race.
The 27-year-old Verstappen had already expressed the expectation beforehand that he would not be able to make a splash at the Hungaroring, and that prediction came true. Verstappen was stuck in the mid-pack and played no more than a supporting role.
Verstappen must also fear a time penalty. During an overtaking attempt on Lewis Hamilton, he forced the Ferrari driver wide. The Red Bull driver must therefore report to the stewards after the race.
At the front, a tactical game of chess arose, with the battle for the win again between the McLaren drivers. Norris was the only driver from the top four who opted for a one-stop strategy, and that strategic move proved to be worth its weight in gold.
As a result, Norris took the lead halfway through the race. Piastri did close in on his teammate in the final laps on his newer tires, but this time he held on. George Russell completed the podium. Polesitter Charles Leclerc, who was very frustrated with his strategy, finished fourth.
Due to his victory, Norris gained ground on WK-leader Piastri again. The difference between the two drivers is still nine points in Piastri’s favor (284 to 275). The Formula 1 season will continue on August 31 in Zandvoort with the Dutch Grand Prix.
Verstappen has a difficult race from start to finish
Verstappen did not get off to a good start and was overtaken by Liam Lawson at the start. A lap later he overtook his former teammate again and regained eighth place.
At the front, Norris saw an opportunity to overtake Piastri from third place. The WK-leader defended well, causing Norris to move off his line and thus drop back to fifth place, behind Russell and Fernando Alonso. Leclerc easily maintained the lead.
Verstappen quickly passed Lance Stroll, but then got stuck behind Gabriel Bortoleto. Red Bull brought him in early. That turned out to be an unfortunate move. Verstappen got stuck in traffic and lost a lot of time.
Verstappen also ended up behind Hamilton, and things almost went wrong in that duel. On top of the hill in turn 4, Verstappen seemed to lightly touch the Briton’s Ferrari with his wing. Hamilton shot off the track, after which Verstappen passed him. The stewards are still looking at the incident after the race.
Verstappen was also unable to make up places after his second stop. In the final phase he was stuck behind Lawson, whom he could not pass. Among others, Gabriel Bortoleto (sixth) and Lance Stroll (seventh) also stayed ahead of Verstappen.
Norris takes the lead thanks to tactical chess game
At the front, a tactical game of chess arose with many different strategies. Norris gambled on a one-stop strategy, while all the other drivers around them made two pit stops.
Polesitter Leclerc would have liked to have had a different strategy from Ferrari. The Monegasque held on for a long time, but could not keep up with the pace of the McLarens in the final phase. Leclerc repeatedly criticized his team’s strategic choices over the radio and also lost his third place to Russell in the final phase.
Piastri came within DRS of Norris with four laps to go. The Australian made a dangerous attempt to overtake his teammate in the penultimate lap. He locked his wheels and almost hit the back of Norris. The Briton held on and crossed the finish line with a margin of six tenths over Piastri.