Formula One in 2024 is turning into the gift that keeps on giving, with yet another nail-biting Grand Prix that saw the 7th different race winner of the season. As it usually goes in Hungary, the race was full of action, chaos and controversy, that would keep Formula One aficionados all over the world glued to their TV screens, as McLaren's Oscar Piastri took his maiden win in the sport.
Plenty of nails were surely being bitten up and down the paddock as the five red lights disappeared and the McLarens of Lando Norris and Piastri, as well as Championship leader; Max Verstappen, headed down into turn one, almost three abreast. Verstappen would end up going wide, passing Norris off-track in the process. Piastri would quickly take advantage of their hustle to become the new race leader. This would mark the beginning of Verstappen's troublesome race, with the stewards quickly investigating his off-track pass on Norris, forcing the Red Bull driver to yield the place to the McLaren.
The remainder of Verstappen's race was just as, if not more, drama filled. He would find himself being undercut by Lewis Hamilton in the early stages, before becoming extremely agitated on the team radio in regards to how the car handled and the race strategy given to him by the team. Unbeknownst to Verstappen, a late race battle with Hamilton was on the cards. And, in scenes which showed desperation from the reigning World Champion, Verstappen would attempt to pass Hamilton into Turn One, locking up and colliding with him in the process. Did someone say 2021? Verstappen would go airborne, counting his lucky stars that there was minimal damage to his car in which he could continue in. Eventually, Verstappen would cross the finish line in 5th before being cleared in his incident with the Mercedes driver.
Verstappen and Hamilton may have had the most intense battle on track, but still, this is Hungary, and there were plenty of other battles up and down the field. This was particularly true for the midfield, with wheel to wheel action for Pierre Gasly, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenberg. Unfortunately for Gasly, his race would come to a premature end on Lap 33 after a hydraulics problem would force him to retire, in what was the only DNF in the race. As for other battles, plenty of overtakes were taken, particularly at T1, with the aid of DRS.
DRS may be strong in Hungary, but so is the undercut, as proved by several drivers, taking the opportunity to pit early during the race. George Russell and Sergio Perez, who both failed to get out of Q1 in Qualifying and who both started on the Hard tyre, would take advantage of those stopping early, jumping them and moving up the grid in the process - ironically, the opposite of an undercut. The threat of a looming undercut from Hamilton, would pressure McLaren into making the decision to pit Norris ahead of race leader, Piastri. In what was probably the most controversial move of the season thus far, Norris would jump Piastri in the pit, taking the lead in the process. Piastri, as "cool as a cucumber" that he is, was told not to worry about position, indicating that McLaren would switch their drivers back to their original 1st and 2nd positions. Norris, however, had other plans, being told several times by his race engineer to save tyre and let his teammate through. Eventually on Lap 68, Norris would slow and let Piastri through to take the lead and eventually the race win. Should Norris have yielded a few laps sooner? Or, should he have not given in to his team? Social media is ablaze with opinion! The rest of McLaren's season will most likely be under the watchful eye from here on out.
Well, I think we have all just about recovered from that race, but sure this may turn out to be a pivotal moment come the end of this season's championship. McLaren are definitely tuning out to be a force to be reckoned with, but can they keep their team together, all in one piece? And, what about Red Bull? The Verstappen/Red Bull relationship seems to be straining further each and every race. Oh, it's getting spicy!
Next up: Belgium.
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