Lando Norris achieved his first Grand Prix victory of the season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone for both the driver and McLaren. Max Verstappen finished second, and rookie Kimi Antonelli secured third place.
The race saw strategic battles and comebacks, with Verstappen expressing dissatisfaction with his car for much of the event. However, Red Bull executed a strategic pit stop, fitting soft tires that allowed Verstappen to challenge for the lead in the latter stages. This move came after seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton made an early second pit stop with 40 laps remaining.
The race was heading towards a tense finish when a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) period was triggered by the retirement of Oscar Piastri. This prompted a wave of late pit stops, including Ferrari pitting both their drivers, who subsequently found themselves behind Verstappen. Hamilton, after his pit stop, initially passed Antonelli but had to cede the position after the restart due to track line infractions. Both Antonelli and Hamilton were delayed while lapping slower cars, including Gabriel Bortoleto.
Verstappen ultimately held off Antonelli to secure his position, crossing the finish line 3.6 seconds ahead. Earlier in the race, Verstappen had re-passed Hamilton, which provided him with clear track and helped solidify his third-place position behind the McLarens before Red Bull's late strategic call.
Lewis Hamilton faced further penalty troubles during the event, receiving a penalty for speeding in the pit lane. This added to a series of penalties he had incurred in recent races, including one for blocking Piastri in qualifying. George Russell experienced an anti-stall issue at the start, dropping him to 21st place, but he mounted a strong recovery. Lance Stroll finished 13th for Aston Martin, ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso. The Aston Martin team has introduced significant car upgrades, reportedly reducing lap times by approximately two seconds. A Honda engine upgrade is anticipated for the next race, the Dutch Grand Prix, which the team hopes will further enhance their performance and potentially lead to more points finishes.