Norris credits extended stints for breakthrough McLaren win

Lando Norris believes clever strategy and McLaren's ability to extend its tyre stints were ultimately the decisive ingredients behind his commanding victory in Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.

The reigning world champion secured his first win of the 2026 campaign – and McLaren's first victory of the season – after turning the tables on Piastri through the pit-stop cycle before cruising to a 15-second victory over Max Verstappen.

While the decisive moment came when Piastri lost valuable time in traffic behind Carlos Sainz before his second stop, Norris insists the foundation of the victory was laid by the pace of McLaren's upgraded MCL40 and its ability to run longer than its rivals.

First-lap mistake left Norris feeling 'horrible'

Starting from pole, Norris initially held the advantage before a snap of oversteer through Turn 2 allowed Piastri to execute a cutback move and seize the lead.

Although hes remained glued to his teammate throughout the opening half of the race, overtaking proved impossible around the tight Hungaroring.

Looking back, the Briton admitted he immediately feared his chances had evaporated.

"I don't know what happened, I just kept losing the rear, had three or four snaps, it felt horrible, and Oscar did a good job to cut back and get past.

"I think I was just a bit wide in the dirt, and game over for the first lap. I was pushing like hell to try and force him into a mistake, and my pace today was probably some of the best pace I've ever had. The car was beautiful to drive, and I felt very confident.

"So, a great race, and to get it back in terms of going long, which is certainly not what I was expecting. But the pace was so good, I could always extend the stints and fresh tyres, and then that won me the race."

Norris eventually inherited the net lead after McLaren kept him out longer than Piastri during the second pit-stop sequence.

The strategy paid off handsomely, with the Briton emerging ahead after Piastri's progress had been delayed by traffic, before the Australian's afternoon ended prematurely with a gearbox failure.

Upgrades provide timely boost before summer break

The Hungarian weekend also marked the competitive debut of McLaren's latest upgrade package, and Norris believes the team's hard work has finally delivered a car capable of fighting consistently at the front.

"The team did a lot of effort, a lot of work to get the upgraded car here,” he insisted.

“It's obviously worked well this weekend. Considering how good it felt today, I certainly want to believe that we can continue winning; there's going to be moments we're going to struggle more, moments that might be even better.

"But we know this track is a good one for us. It's probably one of my best-suited tracks of the year.

"I certainly believe we can still win races. I knew it was coming, and the team have put so much work in to make it a car that can finally win again. It's nice to be able to do it for them."

Read also:

• Hungarian GP: Norris gets it done with statement win in Hungary!

The victory was Norris' first since the 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix and only his third podium finish of the season, providing a welcome reward for both driver and team heading into Formula 1's summer shutdown.

While he acknowledged the Hungaroring naturally suits both his driving style and McLaren's package, the world champion left Budapest convinced that the breakthrough is more than a one-off—and that further victories are now firmly within reach.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook