The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend is shaping up with some unexpected turns as McLaren stamped their authority during the final practice session at the Hungaroring. Oscar Piastri emerged as the leading contender, narrowly edging out teammate Lando Norris in a McLaren-dominated session. Both drivers have showcased remarkable consistency, with Piastri clocking in a time of 1:14.916, just 0.032 seconds ahead of Norris.
The tight battle at McLaren emphasizes their resurgence and strategic edge on a circuit notorious for its overtaking challenges. This performance undoubtedly sets them up favorably for qualifying, hinting at a potentially dominant weekend if their form holds.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured the third spot, though he trailed the McLaren duo by four-tenths, indicating the Scuderia’s progress but also highlighting the gap they still need to bridge. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s fourth-place finish, also in a Ferrari, underscores the team’s steady improvement, though he was a further four-tenths behind Leclerc.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top five, marking a positive turnaround after recent struggles. In contrast, Red Bull faced a disappointing session with Max Verstappen only managing 12th place. The reigning champion’s issues were compounded by his teammate Yuki Tsunoda’s 19th place, leaving Red Bull out of the top ten.
Aston Martin capitalized on Red Bull’s struggles, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll slotting into sixth and seventh, respectively. Completing the top ten were George Russell from Mercedes and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, reflecting Sauber’s upward trajectory.
As the teams prepare for the qualifying session, all eyes will be on McLaren to see if they can convert their practice pace into pole positions, while Red Bull will be eager to rectify their performance woes in time for the race.
