Oscar Piastri has suffered a disastrous Hungarian Grand Prix, first being robbed of the race lead by a rival’s “idiotic” mistake and questionable McLaren strategy call, then seeing his car break down with 13 laps left.

Piastri was on track to claim his second win at the Hungarian Grand Prix in three years, having started third and then taken the lead early in the opening lap from pole-sitting teammate Lando Norris.

But after his second pit stop halfway through the race, Piastri was attempting to pass backmarker Carlos Sainz’ Williams, when Sainz bumbled his way into the side of the Aussie’s McLaren.

The crash only cost Piastri a handful of seconds but it was enough for Norris to, once again, take advantage of McLaren team strategy.A few laps earlier Norris begged to be gifted the race lead by the team when he couldn’t find a way past Piastri; he instead was allowed to remain out on track for another few laps, meaning he didn’t have to fight through traffic as Piastri had.

It was not the first time McLaren’s race strategists handed Norris a favourable decision. Notably in 2024, Norris had to be convinced to give Piastri his maiden race win when he had been favoured by a call.

Norris did appear to have better pace this time, dashing into the distance after the mid-race incident, though it was unclear whether Piastri’s car was carrying damage or not.

Then on lap 56, Piastri’s gearbox gave up costing him a much-needed haul of points for second place.

Oh no! Piastri pulls over to the side of the track with an issue 😫

He’s out ❌#F1 #HungarianGP | LAP 56/70 pic.twitter.com/qeFxIvZ9sn

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 26, 2026

Norris held on for McLaren’s first win of the season, after also claiming their first pole position of the year one day earlier, marking a clear step forward after an indifferent opening 10 races of the campaign.

Max Verstappen came home in second with Mercedes’ championship leader Kimi Antonelli climbing up from seventh on the grid to third, with assistance from a late time penalty for Lewis Hamilton who sped in the pit lane.

Piastri moved up into second down the long opening straight, and then took advantage of Norris running wide through turn 2 to claim the race lead.

The Ferraris, who gambled by starting on the soft tyres instead of the regulation mediums, were both caught behind Verstappen’s Red Bull and unable to take advantage of their quicker rubber.

The two McLarens fighting for the lead ⚔️
Max and Lewis battling for P3 😮

WATCH THE RACE START 👇#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/XkkBkBpc2N

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 26, 2026

The leading McLarens were unable to pull a significant advantage, and after their first stop were held up by the yet-to-stop Red Bull of Isack Hadjar, who backed them into his trailing teammate Verstappen.

But Piastri and Norris eventually cleared the danger, the Brit remaining within a second of his teammate as the Aussie complained of the car’s inconsistency on the hard tyres during the second stint.

Norris appeared to have greater pace, catching up quickly after running wide and dirtying his tyres, but could not put it to use on a track where overtaking is famously difficult, outside of the long main straight.

That didn’t stop the Briton from asking the team to be gifted the race lead.

“You mean you won’t let me? I’m miles faster,” he said on team radio.

“I’ll pull out a 10-second gap with no tyres.”

Piastri was again given pit priority midway through the race, going onto another set of hard tyres, then raging after Carlos Sainz’ Williams made contact with him while Piastri was trying to pass the man running at the back.

“Is he f***ing stupid or what? Get out of the f***ing way, you idiot! Oh my God,” Piastri said.

Martin Brundle said on commentary: “That might just have cost him the grand prix”.

Norris pitted just a lap later and, thanks to the time lost by Piastri, claimed the race lead.

Piastri was upset about being brought out into traffic after his second stop, having to pass multiple backmarkers including Sainz, while Norris was allowed to run long and avoid the traffic.

“Oh mate, don’t even f***ing talk to me right now,” he said on team radio.

“Nice of you guys to factor that one (the traffic) in by the way, thanks.”

Some 20 laps later Piastri’s car ground to a halt, complaining the gearbox was gone.

McLaren warned Norris in the final laps that aggressive curb-taking might have caused Piastri’s failure.

Credit: Fox Sport