Lando Norris fumes at McLaren team orders after dramatic Hungarian Grand Prix finish

Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren attends the press conference after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary
Lando Norris let teammate Oscar Piastri pass him in the final stages of the Hungarian Grand Prix (Picture: Getty)

Landro Norris was left hurting after being forced to give up first place to his teammate Oscar Piastri in the dying stages of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The British driver started Sunday’s F1 race in pole position but was overtaken by McLaren teammate Piastri on the very first turn of Lap one.

Piastri led for the majority of the race but eventually found himself behind Norris in the closing stages after the second round of pit stops.

However, in a dramatic twist, McLaren bosses then demanded Norris give back the lead to his teammate despite the Brit having extended his lead at the front to six seconds.

Norris looked like he was going to refuse the order but, after several tense conversations over the team radio, eventually let Piastri pass with two laps to go as the Australian crossed the finish line to claim his first victory in F1.

Reflecting after the race, Norris admitted that the decision did not leave him best pleased.

‘It’s tough, tough for anyone to give it up,’ he said.

Race winner Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren celebrates his maiden race win in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary
Oscar Piastri claimed his first F1 victory (Picture: Getty)

‘I was put in the position. They made me box first and gave me the chance to lead the race, pull away quite comfortably – but they also gave me the opportunity to do so.

‘I don’t want to come across as a guy who’s not fair, Oscar has done a lot for me in the past. He deserved it and it was the right thing to do.

‘It hurts. Anytime you’re going to give away a win, we shouldn’t have it in the first place.

‘It hurts from a drivers’ championship point of view, every point helps. I know I’m a hell of a long way behind but seven points I gave away today. But because of a bad start, that’s where I lost the race today.

‘I don’t want to take away from a one-two for the team today. Our first one on pure merit. It’s a good feeling. Happy with the journey we’re on and the progress we’re making.’

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton took the final spot on the podium after being involved in a dramatic late crash with Max Verstappen.

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