(Budapest) Oscar Piastri won his first career Formula 1 Grand Prix, edging out Lando Norris for a McLaren one-two in Hungary on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Australian started the race in second behind Norris, but he had the better start and took the lead at the first corner. Norris regained the lead with a good strategy, but was asked by the team to hand the lead back to Piastri late in the race.
“This is the day I dreamed of, standing on the top step of an F1 podium,” said Piastri.
Mercedes’ Briton Lewis Hamilton finished third, making it 200th on the podium.e times in career.
PHOTO DENES ERDOS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
From left to right: Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton on the podium
Drivers’ standings leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished fifth behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Verstappen is winless in his last three races.
Verstappen now has 265 points in the drivers’ standings, and Norris, 189.
Quebec driver Lance Stroll of Aston Martin earned the last available point with a 10e position.
McLaren achieved the one-two, but the race will also be remembered for the debate over which driver should have crossed the finish line first.
The team initially told Piastri that the tactical decision had been made to ensure Norris maintained his advantage over Hamilton. It told Norris he could then give the position back to Piastri “at his convenience”.
As the laps ticked by, Norris kept up the pace. McLaren told Piastri that he could retake the lead once he had caught Norris. The demands on Norris to let Piastri pass became increasingly insistent.
“I know you’ll do the right thing,” the team told Norris, who responded after a long silence by saying, “Tell him to catch me then, please.”
The tension continued to build until Norris finally let Piastri pass into the lead with two laps to go.
PHOTO DENES ERDOS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
The two teammates briefly shook hands after removing their helmets, celebrating with team members and congratulating the other drivers.
Norris was cautious in his comments before taking second place on the podium, although he came close to adding a second victory to his tally, following the one in Miami in May.
“The team had an incredible day and that’s what matters. I’m happy. We worked hard to get this kind of result on merit,” said Norris. “Oscar had a good start. He was going to win eventually and he deserves this win today.”
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