McLaren dominates in dream 1-2

McLaren dominates in dream 1-2: Analysis of the Hungarian Grand Prix, brought to you by Bahrain International Circuit

If your biggest problem at McLaren is establishing which of your drivers should win, given the team’s recent history, it is probably an issue you wouldn’t mind facing. This is exactly what the team faced in the closing stages of a highly entertaining Hungarian Grand Prix, which brought action across the grid.

It’s worth putting this race into some context for McLaren. It almost seems absurd to say, but their current run of eight consecutive podiums has come for some criticism recently. Such has been their turnaround in performance that the spotlight on their decisions at the top had come under close scrutiny. They are swiftly finding out the additional pressure that comes with life at the sharp end, not least when you are up against Red Bull and Mercedes – two teams that have been well-used to sustained periods at the top in recent years. Some commentators believe that given the pace of their car, they should have more victories under their belt in 2024. In particular, Silverstone two weeks ago was seen as a missed opportunity according to some, with strategy calls not panning out as expected.

Therefore, the team in papaya were coming into this weekend with a combination of high expectation and a level of pressure that will have focused the minds of the Woking team. Given that, they certainly got the start of the Hungary weekend right, locking out the front row of the grid for the first time since 2012 in qualifying. Behind them, Red Bull had some optimistic upgrades which could only place Verstappen third, whilst Perez had another disaster, but more on that later. Sainz in the Ferrari and Hamilton in the Mercedes were still trying to get to grips with their latest car updates in fourth and fifth respectively, followed by Leclerc, Alonso and Stroll to complete the top eight. Other than Perez in 16th, the most significant car out of place in qualifying was Russell in 17th, after a number of errors in qualifying.

At the start of the race, the two McLarens and Verstappen went three-deep into turn one. Verstappen went wide, whilst Piastri took the lead and Vertstappen re-joined the track in second, with Norris third. A lap later, Norris was let past before the stewards took a decision as to whether Verstappen warranted a penalty. The evidence showed that this was wise move to give the place back as would have otherwise resulted in a time penalty of some description for Verstappen.

On a circuit that is not easy for overtaking, a two pit stop optimum strategy was where most changes in the racing order were likely to take place. For the leaders, the first stop took place around laps 18 and 19. Verstappen pitted later than the other leaders and as a result came out behind Hamilton. By half distance, that left Piastri and Norris upfront, followed by Hamilton and Verstappen, then the two Ferraris.

The middle stint was dominated by Hamilton coming under pressure from Verstappen. It was a showcase of why track position is so important in Hungary. Even a man of Verstappen’s experience just could not get past. Meanwhile, Norris was consistently gaining on Piastri and by lap 40 was just 1.5 seconds off the lead.

By lap 41, we had the start of the final pit stops with Hamilton and Leclerc first. Norris stopped five laps later to cover off the Hamilton threat. Piastri came in a couple of laps after Norris and found himself behind his teammate. The question then came as to whether the place would be given back to Piastri. It’s typical convention that the leader gets the choice on optimum pitstop timing and in a race of this nature that best decision would be to pit first. However, Norris had been asked by the team to come in first to cover off the threat from Hamilton behind. It was a team decision and it was made clear to Piastri that the final order of the two drivers would be resolved towards the end of the race.