FYI: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri secures his maiden victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix, leading a 1-2 finish for the team while Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton clinches the third spot.
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### Piastri Triumphs at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Leading McLaren’s Dominance
In a thrilling showcase at the Hungaroring, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri clinched his first Formula One Grand Prix victory during the 2024 Hungarian GP – marking a significant milestone in the young Australian’s racing career. The McLaren team completed a remarkable 1-2 finish, with Lando Norris crossing the line just two seconds behind Piastri. The British driver, however, had to yield the lead to his teammate following team orders.
### Race Dynamics and Key Moments
Starting the race from pole position, Lando Norris was joined on the front row by Piastri. Right behind them were Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. The start saw intense jostling for positions as Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen approached Turn 1 almost side-by-side. Piastri seized the lead while Verstappen endured an off-track excursion but quickly rejoined ahead of Norris, maneuvering back to sidestep a potential penalty.
Piastri maintained his lead for a significant portion of the race. The dynamic shifted when Norris pitted first for his second stop, seemingly to counter an impending challenge from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. This strategy put Norris in the lead, which he had to relinquish as per team orders with only two laps to go, allowing Piastri to comfortably clinch his first Grand Prix win.
### The Exciting Finish and Key Incidents
A notable incident unfolded in the closing laps as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Verstappen battled intensely. Verstappen, while dueling for third place with Hamilton, locked his front wheels going into Turn 1, causing a collision. Hamilton’s front tires made contact with Verstappen’s rear, momentarily lifting Verstappen’s car off the ground. Despite the heavy landing, Verstappen managed to continue, though the incident led to him finishing fifth, just behind Leclerc.
Despite speculations of an investigation into Hamilton’s braking, the race stewards ruled no further action was necessary, remarking Hamilton’s positioning was justified given the race circumstances.
### Championship Standings Update
After the exhilarating Hungarian GP, Verstappen retains a strong lead in the Drivers’ Championship tally with 265 points. Norris trails in second place with 189 points, while Leclerc holds the third spot with 162 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull continues to lead with 389 points. McLaren’s stellar performance moves them closer, standing at 338 points, with Ferrari following at 322 points.
### Upcoming Race
The next chapter of the 2024 Formula One season unfolds this weekend with the much-anticipated Belgian Grand Prix. Fans and teams alike are eager to see if McLaren can continue their impressive form or if Red Bull and Ferrari will mount a comeback.
### 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix Final Results
1. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
2. Lando Norris, McLaren +2.141 seconds
3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG +14.880 seconds
4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +19.686 seconds
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing +21.349 seconds
6. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +23.073 seconds
7. Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing +39.792 seconds
8. George Russell, Mercedes-Benz AMG +42.368 seconds
9. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri +1 lap
10. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +1 lap
11. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +1 lap
12. Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri +1 lap
13. Nico Hulkenberg, Haas +1 lap
14. Alexander Albon, Williams +1 lap
15. Kevin Magnussen, Haas +1 lap
16. Valtteri Bottas, Sauber +1 lap
17. Logan Sargent, Williams +1 lap
18. Esteban Ocon, Alpine +1 lap
19. Zhou Guanyu, Sauber +1 lap
NC) Pierre Gasly, Alpine – DNF
### Editor’s Note
Stay tuned for more thrilling updates and in-depth coverage of the 2024 Formula One season by visiting Automotive.fyi. For news tips and insights, email us at tips@automotive.fyi or follow us on Twitter @automotivefyi.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
