RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 7 sourcesReigning Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris is finally back on the top step of the podium. After securing his first victory of the 2026 season at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, the McLaren star opened up about the intense, high-pressure intra-team battle that defined the first half of his race.
Despite starting from pole position at the tight and twisty Hungaroring, Norris found himself staring at the gearbox of his teammate, Oscar Piastri , during the opening stint. But rather than settling into a rhythm and saving his tires, Norris immediately went on the offensive.
At a circuit notoriously difficult for overtaking, falling behind a teammate on identical machinery is usually a death knell for a driver’s victory hopes. Norris, however, spent the first phase of the grand prix glued to Piastri’s rear wing, deliberately applying relentless pressure.
“But man, I was pushing like hell to try and force him into a mistake or something,” Norris confessed in his post-race interview. “My pace today was proba bly some of the best pace I’ve ever had. The car was beautiful to drive, and I felt very confident.”
That confidence paid massive dividends. While Piastri controlled the early narrative, Norris utilized his superior tire management to play the long game. By extending his stints, Norris gave himself a massive strategic advantage to execute the overcut.
May 23, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; McLaren driver Oscar Piastri (81) and team member during Lenovo Grand Prix Du Canada sprint race at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images McLaren’s Strategy Pays Off
The turning point of the race came during the second pit stop sequence. At the end of Lap 33, Piastri pitted from the lead but emerged in heavy traffic as the leaders navigated the backmarkers. Norris stayed out in clean air, taking full advantage of the open track ahead.
On Lap 39, Piastri’s race unraveled as he nearly spun out while tangling with backmarkers Oliver Bearman and Carlos Sainz , losing critical time when the Williams briefly cut across his path. Norris capitalized perfectly, pitting at the end of that exact lap and emerging from the pit lane just ahead of Piastri to assume the net lead of the grand prix.
From there, Norris pulled away effortlessly over the final stint. Piastri’s frustrating afternoon ultimately ended in a DNF due to a late gearbox failure on Lap 56, leaving Norris to comfortably cruise to a simple win ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
“To get it back in terms of going long, which is certainly not what I was expecting. But the pace was so good, I could always extend the stints and fresh tyres, and then that won me the race,” Norris concluded. “I certainly believe we can still win races. I knew it was coming, and the team has put so much work in to make it a car that can finally win again.”
After a challenging start to his title defense, McLaren’s first win of 2026 proves that the reigning champion is officially back in business.
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