Oscar Piastri outperformed his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, in the final practice session ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Piastri’s time of 1:14.916 edged Norris by a mere three hundredths of a second, marking a significant shift in momentum as both drivers prepare for a tightly contested qualifying round. This result comes after Norris had the upper hand in both Friday practice sessions, solidifying the competitive nature of their relationship.
Piastri currently leads the drivers’ championship standings with a 16-point advantage over Norris as they head into the final race before the summer break on August 6, 2025. The McLaren duo has been dominating the season, emphasizing their status as frontrunners in the Constructors’ Championship. Notably, Piastri’s recent performance exceeded Norris’ pole time from the previous year by over three tenths of a second, showcasing the impressive capabilities of the McLaren team.
In a strong showing, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured third place, finishing four tenths behind Piastri. Lewis Hamilton, who took fourth, struggled to keep pace with his Mercedes teammate, trailing by three tenths. This variance raises questions about Mercedes’ competitiveness compared to the McLaren and Ferrari teams.
Max Verstappen’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive world championship faces further challenges, as the Red Bull driver finished in 12th place during final practice. His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, struggled even more, placing 19th. Verstappen confirmed on Thursday his intention to remain with Red Bull for the 2026 season, but he currently lags behind Piastri by a daunting 81 points in the championship standings.
Kimi Antonelli achieved fifth place, outperforming his Mercedes colleague, George Russell, who placed eighth. Russell’s performance was particularly surprising as he finished behind Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. The Sauber team, represented by Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, rounded out the top ten, continuing their streak of scoring points over the last five Grand Prix weekends.
As the teams prepare for qualifying, the energy in Budapest is palpable. The McLaren drivers’ rivalry and Verstappen’s struggles are set against the backdrop of a thrilling championship race. The final practice results signal a competitive qualifying session ahead, with Piastri and Norris poised to battle for pole position.
Fans can catch the Hungarian Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1, with qualifying scheduled for 3 PM local time on August 6, 2025. The excitement is building as Formula 1 approaches the summer break, making this race a pivotal moment for the drivers and teams involved.
