Lessons Gleaned from the Hungarian Formula 1 Race
In the thrilling world of Formula 1, the one-stop strategy, a tactic that involves making a single pit stop during the race to change tires and refuel, has long been a staple of race strategy. At the recent 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, this strategy was put to the test, with McLaren's drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, employing contrasting approaches to the race.
The one-stop strategy offers several advantages. By minimising time lost in the pits, a driver can save up to 20 to 30 seconds compared to multiple stops. The strategy also simplifies race execution with fewer variables related to tire choices and timing of stops. If a driver can maintain strong lap times on worn tires and manage pace well, the one-stop strategy can be highly effective, especially in tracks or conditions that favour tire conservation over outright pace.
However, the one-stop strategy is not without its risks. Excellent tire management is crucial to maintain competitive lap times on older tires. If tires drop off too much, the pace suffers. The strategy also offers less flexibility to adjust to race events such as safety cars or changing weather. Furthermore, the car's performance may degrade more in long stints, making it harder to defend positions or attack later in the race. If rivals run multiple stops with fresher tires late in the race, the one-stop driver might be vulnerable to being overtaken.
At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lando Norris employed a successful one-stop strategy, extending his first stint longer than expected and managing tire wear well to win the race despite starting from behind after a sluggish start. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, opted for a more traditional two-stop approach due to his role defending front positions and the higher risk of the one-stop strategy for him.
The race was not without its drama. Charles Leclerc, starting from pole position, led the first stint, but a chassis issue in the final stint cost him valuable seconds, allowing Piastri to overtake him on lap 50. Piastri finished second, securing his best-ever finish in F1. Gabriel Bortoleto also had a strong race, securing his best-ever finish in F1 as well.
Lando Norris's race engineer, Will Joseph, offered a one-stop strategy to Norris, which he accepted to maintain track position. Despite a poor start that dropped him to fifth, Norris managed his composure to score McLaren's 200th F1 win with a one-stop strategy. Oscar Piastri closed in on Norris in the closing laps, but errors by the Australian let Norris off the hook.
In summary, the one-stop strategy is a high-risk, high-reward approach that can pay off if tire management is strong and race conditions are favourable. However, it demands careful execution and is not always suitable for every driver or race situation. The 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix tactics exemplify this nuanced decision-making in F1 race strategy.
[1] Formula1.com, "2025 Hungarian Grand Prix: Race Report," [accessed 2025-08-01]. [2] Autosport, "2025 Hungarian Grand Prix: Race Report," [accessed 2025-08-01]. [3] Motorsport.com, "2025 Hungarian Grand Prix: Race Report," [accessed 2025-08-01]. [4] RaceFans, "2025 Hungarian Grand Prix: Race Report," [accessed 2025-08-01].
- Lando Norris's race engineer suggested a one-stop strategy for the auto-racing event, which Norris accepted to maintain track position, despite starting the race from behind.
- The one-stop strategy in sports racing, as demonstrated by Norris's victory in the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, can be advantageous when a driver can manage tire wear effectively and maintain competitive lap times on older tires.
- Predictions for future races should take into account the risks associated with the one-stop strategy in sports racing, such as the potential for a car's performance to degrade more in long stints, making it harder to defend positions or attack later in the race.
