The Hungarian Grand Prix is heating up, and it's all about McLaren! Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been setting blistering pace throughout the practice sessions, leaving the competition in their dust. Friday saw Norris topping the charts in both practice sessions, showcasing McLaren's strong performance at the Hungaroring.
Norris vs. Piastri: A McLaren Battle for Supremacy
The battle between Norris and Piastri is intensifying. While Piastri leads the championship by 16 points after his victory in Belgium, Norris is determined to close the gap. He demonstrated his speed early, setting a time of 1:15.624, almost three-tenths of a second faster than Piastri in the second practice session.
However, Piastri struck back in the final practice session, narrowly edging out Norris by a mere 0.032 seconds. This sets the stage for an electrifying qualifying session, where the two McLaren drivers are expected to be the frontrunners.
Unexpected Moments and Near Misses
Practice wasn't without its drama. Both Norris and Piastri had moments where they pushed their cars to the limit, narrowly avoiding collisions with the barriers. A particularly strange incident occurred after the chequered flag, where the McLaren duo almost clashed at Turn 1 during a practice start.
Where Does Verstappen Stand?
Reigning champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull have been struggling to match the pace of the McLarens. Verstappen finished a distant 14th in one of the practice sessions. Can Red Bull find some pace before qualifying, or will McLaren continue their dominance?
What to Expect in Qualifying
McLaren enters qualifying as the clear favourite, with a significant advantage over the rest of the field. Aston Martin has also shown promising pace, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll consistently in the top 10. The qualifying session promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with the McLaren drivers battling for pole position and the other teams fighting to close the gap.
Key Highlights:
- McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri dominate practice.
- Close battle between the McLaren teammates.
- Verstappen and Red Bull struggling to keep up.
- Exciting qualifying session expected.