Madness in Budapest. Mess even as McLaren succeeded. Crazy radio exchanges. And the big question, would Lando Norris yield to team orders to sacrifice a victory that should have ignited his world championship ambitions?
Finally, he did comply, but he admitted afterwards that he considered defiance before slowing down with three laps remaining to let his garage-mate Oscar Piastri claim his maiden win. Joy for him.
Norris, perhaps rightly, conceded that it was the 23-year-old Australian and not he who deserved the triumph. That is so on the evidence of the start, when pole-man Norris slipped down to fourth and Piastri grabbed the lead – but enough of that early part of the race for now.
Just as the story of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen‘s coming together, the Red Bull of the triple world champion sent partially airborne, must wait. The Dutchman was angry all afternoon, and finished fifth, his championship lead slipping to 76 points.
But to the big talking point of this extraordinary race played out on tarmac so hot you could have fried eggs on it.
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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri won the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest on Sunday afternoon
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Piastri pictured celebrating his victory by waving to the crowd at the Hungaroring racetrack