A remarkable spectacle unfolded as Lando Norris commanded the final practice session at the Hungaroring, leading a McLaren dominance that startled many.
With the stage set at the Hungaroring, fans eagerly watched as the third practice session began under cooler conditions. This paved the way for an intense session where the drivers maneuvered the tight circuit. Mercedes initially appeared to have the upper hand, with their drivers setting the pace. However, the tide turned as qualifying simulations kicked off, and McLaren emerged as the team to beat.
Lando Norris stunned the crowd by clocking an impressive 1:16.098 lap, setting him nearly half a second ahead of the competition. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, wasn’t far behind, securing a McLaren 1-2 with a lap just 0.044 seconds slower. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen of Red Bull, known for his tenacity, finished third. Verstappen’s switch to soft tires for a fast lap towards the session’s end resulted in him trailing by almost three-tenths of a second behind the McLarens. He even had a minor off-track moment at Turn 1, locking up his right-front tire.
Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, couldn’t replicate the form he showed on a strong Friday, ending up in 13th place. For Mercedes, George Russell secured fourth place, demonstrating consistent performance. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz finished fifth, narrowly edging out Daniel Ricciardo of VCARB. This gave VCARB optimism about their recent upgrades.
As the session concluded, Alex Albon of Williams took seventh, while Nico Hulkenberg from Haas managed eighth. Yuki Tsunoda, in the other VCARB vehicle, finished ninth, followed by Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes at tenth, who experienced a spin because of issues with the car’s rear. Charles Leclerc, despite a setback on Friday, posted the 11th-fastest time.
From the perspective of team strategies, McLaren’s ability to capitalize on the cooler track conditions and demonstrate their car’s speed was noteworthy. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s situation with Verstappen showcased the fine margins that can turn a session upside down. The excitement is palpable as teams prepare to adjust their strategies for the race ahead.
The final practice session at the Hungarian Grand Prix provided an exhilarating preview of the fierce competition to come. With McLaren’s surprising ascendancy and Red Bull’s struggles, the race promises to be a captivating event as strategies unfold and teams vie for supremacy.
