Norris seizes first win of 2026 at Hungarian GP, McLaren celebrates and mourns as Antonelli extends lead
Lando Norris overcame a poor pit stop and late-race chaos to secure his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Hungaroring, while championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli extended his points lead despite Mercedes' struggles.
Lando Norris took his first win of the 2026 Formula 1 season at a dramatic Hungarian Grand Prix, the 11th round of the championship. The McLaren driver capitalised on teammate Oscar Piastri's double misfortune and a strategic misstep by Ferrari to end Mercedes' run of pole-to-victory results, while 19-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli further stretched his championship advantage.
Qualifying and grid penalties
Norris put his McLaren on pole position by just 0.012 seconds over Lewis Hamilton, becoming the first non-Mercedes driver to top qualifying in 2026. Hamilton subsequently earned a grid penalty for blocking Piastri during the session, which promoted the Australian to the front row alongside his teammate. Antonelli arrived at the Hungaroring with 204 points, 45 more than Hamilton (159) and 50 more than George Russell (154).
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli
- 204
- Lewis Hamilton
- 159
- George Russell
- 154
A chaotic first half
When the lights went out, Piastri made the best getaway and led Norris into the first corner. Russell's race unravelled instantly, his Mercedes suffered an anti-stall activation and he plunged to 20th. The two papaya cars controlled the early laps with Max Verstappen's Red Bull in close attendance. Within 30 minutes Valtteri Bottas parked his smoke-filled Cadillac and retired. The first pit-stop sequence around lap 20 briefly handed the lead to Antonelli before the McLarens regained control, while Hamilton slipped to sixth.
The race turns on lap 39
Carlos Sainz, being lapped, blocked Piastri and forced the McLaren onto the grass. The incident cost Piastri significant time and allowed Norris, who had already pitted, to take the lead. Sainz received a five-second penalty.
Piastri's afternoon then deteriorated from bad to catastrophic. On lap 56 he reported a gearbox failure and pulled to the side of the road. The virtual safety car was deployed.
- Oscar Piastri leads, George Russell falls to 20th after anti-stall activation.
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli briefly leads before McLarens retake control.
- Carlos Sainz blocks Piastri, Lando Norris moves into the lead.
- Piastri retires with gearbox failure, virtual safety car deployed.
- Norris wins, Max Verstappen second, Antonelli third.
Ferrari's strategic blunder
Under the virtual safety car, Ferrari called both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc into the pits while Verstappen and Antonelli stayed out. The decision dropped the Scuderia drivers behind the Dutchman and the Italian teenager. A potential double podium evaporated, and Hamilton was later handed a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
Norris holds on, Antonelli extends lead
After the restart Norris managed the gap to Verstappen and crossed the line for his first win of the year. Antonelli's third-place finish, on a track that did not suit the Mercedes, further widened his championship cushion. The teenager now heads into the summer break with an even larger lead over Hamilton and Russell.
