By Alan Baldwin
Australian Oscar Piastri took his first System One win in a McLaren one-two on the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday after Lando Norris reluctantly handed again the lead on workforce orders three laps from the tip on a day of excessive drama.
Lewis Hamilton took third for Mercedes, his 2 hundredth System One podium coming regardless of a late collision with Crimson Bull’s championship chief Max Verstappen, who got here off worse and completed fifth.
“Very, very particular. That is actually the day I dreamed of as a child, standing on the highest step of an F1 podium,” Piastri mentioned earlier than the ceremonies.
“Clearly, a bit sophisticated on the finish, however I put myself in the best place firstly, and thanks to the workforce for an incredible effort and an incredible automotive.”
He apologised over the radio on the chequered flag for it being extra “painful” than mandatory.
The fifth Australian to win a grand prix seized the lead from pole-sitter Norris firstly as Verstappen took second with a short-cut after being compelled broad.
Verstappen needed to give the place again as stewards’ investigated and Piastri was forward till Norris got here in for his second cease to cowl towards Hamilton, with Piastri staying out and dropping out.
McLaren informed Norris to re-establish the order “at his comfort” with greater than 20 laps remaining however the hole between solely grew bigger and the Briton confirmed no signal of complying.
“I do know you’ll do the best factor,” Norris was informed with 14 laps to go after the workforce repeated that they needed Piastri to win. “Effectively it is best to have pitted him first,” he replied.
“Lando, he can’t catch you up. You’ve proved your level,” the Briton was informed when he moved six seconds clear with six laps remaining.
“The best way to win a championship is just not by your self. You’re going to wish Oscar, and also you’re going to wish the workforce,” Norris was informed, earlier than finally complying.
“The workforce requested me to do it, in order that’s it,” he mentioned in his pre-podium interview, making no try to cover his unhappiness.
Behind them, Verstappen was additionally turning the air blue on the radio to the Crimson Bull pit wall as he struggled along with his automotive’s brake steadiness and questioned the technique.
