Practicing session in Hungary sees Norris securing a 'twin-peak' performance
News Article: Piastri Takes Lead in Formula 1 Championship After Hungarian Grand Prix Practice
In the second practice session at the Hungaroring circuit in early August 2025, the Formula 1 racing scene saw a shakeup as Oscar Piastri, driving for McLaren, took the lead in the drivers' championship.
Piastri, a 25-year-old British driver, set the fastest lap of 1 minute and 15.624 seconds during the session, putting him in a strong position for Sunday's race. His teammate, Lando Norris, was not far behind, finishing in seventh place for Mercedes.
Norris had a close call during the session, sliding wide on the grass at the final corner. However, he recovered with 15 minutes remaining on used softs, signaling his intent to compete for the fastest lap. In the end, Norris decided to switch back to mediums, signaling the fight for fastest lap was over.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, the four-time champion, struggled with his car during the session, describing it as "undriveable." Verstappen finished in 14th place, 1.167 seconds off the pace. He may face an investigation into disposing of a cloth towel from his cockpit during the session.
Verstappen's teammate, Sergio Pérez, fared slightly better, finishing in 10th place. The Red Bull drivers are currently in fourth and fifth places, with Lance Stroll ahead of Fernando Alonso for Aston Martin.
Charles Leclerc, driving for Ferrari, had a strong session, finishing in third place, nearly four-tenths of a second behind the leader. Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, finished in sixth place.
The Australian driver, Piastri, currently holds a narrow lead over Norris in the drivers' title race, with a deficit of 0.291 seconds. Verstappen is third, with 187 points, while Leclerc is fourth with 227 points.
The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend included the second practice session and qualifying rounds, with the race scheduled for Sunday. The results from these sessions indicate a potential intra-team duel between the McLaren drivers, Piastri and Norris, for the top spot in Sunday's race.
[1] Source: Formula 1 official website [4] Source: BBC Sport
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Sports enthusiasts eagerly await this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix as Piastri aims to solidify his lead in the Formula 1 drivers' championship, following his impressive performance during the second practice session. Norris, his McLaren teammate, battles for position behind him, adding a potential intra-team duel to the race.
