In Hungary, Lando Norris secured McLaren’s first Formula 1 win, spotlighting the team’s upgraded package as a credible challenger to Mercedes’ dominance.
McLaren’s Hungarian win signals a genuine Mercedes threat
Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft hailed the upgrade haul for delivering a tangible boost in pace, remarking that the Woking outfit had “understood the power unit way better” than early in the season. He noted the team’s 1‑2 finish at the Budapest circuit in both 2024 and 2025, suggesting that the recent gains were not a fluke but a deliberate progression.
David Croft credits upgrades as the key breakthrough
“It isn’t a surprise they did well in Hungary given their past form, but it is a surprise considering how strong Mercedes have been in other racing conditions,” Croft said. He added that the upgrades had “opened genuine advantage” and prepared McLaren to engage Mercedes under the closest of circumstances, with the session’s pace as clear evidence of that success.
Norris staves 5th, still within striking distance of Kimi Antonelli
At the time of the race, Norris sat fifth in the drivers’ standings with 128 points, 91 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. Croft argued that Norris “still has the means to challenge the title” and that McLaren’s continued focus on maximising every performance edge will determine the contention’s trajectory. He questioned whether the team can carry that advantage through the upcoming break and whether they will “put their eggs in the Lando Norris basket” to influence the constructors’ showdown.
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