Hungarian Grand Prix 2025: A Thrilling Race Recap
The 2025 Formula 1 season continued to heat up with the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, which took place at the renowned Hungaroring circuit, situated just 19 kilometers from Budapest. This race marked the 14th event on the calendar, and it delivered a captivating spectacle for fans around the world.
Race Overview
Lando Norris emerged as the star of the day, clinching victory after starting from third position. He took the lead on lap 46 of 70 and maintained it until the chequered flag, showcasing exceptional racing skills. His teammate at McLaren, Oscar Piastri, finished closely behind in second place, while George Russell of Mercedes secured the third spot on the podium.
Kimi Antonelli, Russell’s teammate, had a noteworthy performance, finishing in 10th place. This marked Antonelli’s first top-10 finish in three races, a much-needed boost for the young driver. The Brazilian racer Gabriel Bortoleto was named Driver of the Day for the second time this season, highlighting his impressive performance.
The qualifying sessions held on Saturday set the stage for an exhilarating race day. Bortoleto achieved his best starting position in Formula 1, qualifying seventh. The top ten drivers were separated by less than a second, underscoring the competitive nature of the field.
Norris’s victory in Hungary also represented a significant milestone for McLaren, marking the team’s 200th win in Formula 1 history. This accomplishment was complemented by a strong showing in qualifying, where they secured pole position and a 1-2 finish on the podium, a fitting culmination before the summer break.
In addition to their race victory, McLaren also set a new record for the fastest pit stop of the 2025 season, clocking in at an impressive 1.94 seconds on two occasions during the race—once for Norris and once for Piastri.
Team Performances
Ferrari
The Scuderia Ferrari team faced a challenging weekend, leaving Hungary with mixed feelings. Only one of their drivers managed to score points, which was disappointing given the potential they had shown. Charles Leclerc secured pole position, generating hope for a strong race. However, he quickly lost his advantageous spot and ultimately finished in fourth place, expressing frustration over the radio regarding the performance of his SF-25.
Lewis Hamilton had a particularly tough outing, concluding the race in 12th place, matching his starting position. This result marked one of the more difficult races of the season for the seven-time champion.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin bounced back after a disappointing previous race in Belgium, where they did not score any points. The team put forth a strong performance with both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finishing in the points. Alonso started in fifth place and maintained his position throughout the race, crossing the line in fifth. Stroll, who started in sixth, dropped one position to finish seventh. This solid performance allowed Aston Martin to climb from eighth to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
Kick Sauber
The Stake Kick Sauber team had reasons to celebrate, largely thanks to Gabriel Bortoleto’s impressive sixth-place finish, marking his second consecutive top-ten result. This achievement is particularly noteworthy for the rookie driver in his debut season in Formula 1. His teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, finished in 13th position after starting from 18th, continuing a trend of missed points for the experienced driver.
Racing Bulls
For the Visa Cash App RB team, the Hungarian Grand Prix nearly ended without points, but Liam Lawson managed to salvage an eighth-place finish after starting in ninth. This was a critical result for the team, especially after a series of tough races. Conversely, Isack Hadjar, Lawson’s teammate, finished just outside the points in 11th place after starting in 11th.
Red Bull Racing
The Oracle Red Bull Racing team struggled in Hungary, showing a lack of competitiveness throughout the qualifying sessions. Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, qualified in eighth place but could only manage a ninth-place finish during the race. His performance was disappointing, as he was unable to make significant progress through the field.
Yuki Tsunoda faced even greater challenges, starting the race from the pit lane due to a power unit change and finishing in 17th place, eight positions behind Verstappen. This marked Tsunoda’s seventh consecutive race without scoring points, putting his seat at risk for the remainder of the season.
Teams That Did Not Score Points
The teams that left Hungary without points included Atlassian Williams Racing, MoneyGram Haas (which suffered a retirement due to Oliver Bearman’s incident), and BWT Alpine. These results further highlight the competitive nature of the current season, where even small mistakes can have significant consequences.
Championship Standings
As the teams and drivers prepare for the upcoming races, the championship standings have tightened considerably. Here’s a look at the current top ten drivers and the constructors’ championship:
Top 10 Driver Standings:
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 284 points
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 275 points
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – 187 points
- George Russell (Mercedes-AMG Petronas) – 172 points
- Charles Leclerc (Scuderia Ferrari HP) – 151 points
- Lewis Hamilton (Scuderia Ferrari HP) – 109 points
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes-AMG Petronas) – 64 points
- Alex Albon (Atlassian Williams Racing) – 54 points
- Nico Hulkenberg (Stake Kick Sauber) – 37 points
- Esteban Ocon (MoneyGram Haas) – 27 points
Constructors’ Championship Standings:
- McLaren – 559 points
- Scuderia Ferrari HP – 260 points
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas – 236 points
- Oracle Red Bull Racing – 194 points
- Atlassian Williams Racing – 70 points
- Aston Martin Aramco – 52 points
- Kick Sauber – 51 points
- Visa Cash App RB – 45 points
- MoneyGram Haas – 35 points
- BWT Alpine – 20 points
The next race in the 2025 Formula 1 season will take place at the Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled for August 31. This will be the first event following the summer break, and teams will be eager to regroup and strategize for the second half of the season.
This thrilling Hungarian Grand Prix not only highlighted the competitive spirit of Formula 1 but also showcased the remarkable skill and determination of the drivers and teams involved. Fans can look forward to more exciting races as the season progresses.
