Daily Updates News 
Charles Leclerc fends off Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in a high-stakes battle at the 2025 Hungarian GP.
The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend has taken an exciting twist as Charles Leclerc stunned the grid with a pole position at the Hungaroring, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle against McLaren’s rising stars, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Leclerc’s flying lap secured Ferrari a crucial advantage at a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult. But as race day looms, attention shifts from one-lap speed to the strategic endurance of Sunday’s showdown. McLaren’s long-run pace during practice indicates they could have an edge when tyre wear becomes a factor—especially in the latter stages of the race.
Interestingly, Leclerc’s Ferrari wasn’t far behind during Friday’s long stints. His performance was sandwiched between Piastri and Norris, suggesting Ferrari may be more competitive on race pace than initially expected. And with Ferrari’s top-end speed proving strong, keeping Leclerc within overtaking range might be a tall order for the chasing McLarens.
Tyre Strategy Could Decide It All
According to Pirelli, multiple race strategies are on the table, adding a layer of unpredictability to Sunday’s race. The fastest on paper is a two-stop plan using a medium-hard-hard combination. Close behind is a one-stop approach using medium to hard, though this may be slightly slower depending on track temperature and degradation.
The wildcard? The soft tyre. If cooler conditions persist, some teams might risk an aggressive start on the softs to leap ahead before attempting an undercut strategy—especially effective at the twisty Hungaroring.
However, there’s a catch. Unlike Leclerc, neither Norris nor Piastri has a second fresh set of hard tyres. This forces McLaren to either recycle used tyres or rethink their strategy entirely. Pirelli’s Mario Isola weighed in: “A one-stop might be viable if temperatures drop, but overall, a two-stop remains the safer, more flexible approach.”
The McLaren Dilemma: Equal Chances, Limited Options
Normally, McLaren could experiment with split strategies—sending one driver for the undercut and the other for a long stint. This tactic could pressure Ferrari into choosing which rival to cover, potentially creating an opening.
But team politics and championship ambitions complicate that scenario. Both Norris and Piastri are still in title contention and expect equal treatment. Neither driver would willingly accept a compromised strategy, especially not in a race with such high stakes.
A similar situation occurred at April’s Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, where McLaren played it safe rather than splitting strategies. That approach drew criticism for being overly cautious—something they may want to avoid repeating.
“We’re both here to win,” said Piastri. “There are so many elements that can affect the outcome—undercuts, tyre degradation, and even track position. Whether we go for different strategies will depend on where we are after lap one.”
Weather Watch: Rain Could Flip the Script
Adding even more tension to the Hungarian GP is the unpredictable weather. Light rain during the morning has already reduced grip levels across the track. Forecasts from MeteoFrance show a 40% chance of rain before the race start, tapering off later in the afternoon.
If the rain returns, all existing strategies may go out the window. Wet conditions often level the playing field and introduce more variability in tyre strategy. McLaren has looked particularly strong on intermediate tyres in past races, which could work in their favor. However, timing pit stops perfectly in such conditions becomes absolutely crucial.
Team Perspectives: Quiet Confidence on Both Sides
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is optimistic about Sunday’s race pace. “We’ve shown consistent performance in long runs, even compared to McLaren. Our focus must be on clean execution—strategy, tyre choices, everything,” he said.
McLaren boss Andrea Stella echoed similar confidence. “We’ve been aware that Ferrari would be competitive this weekend. But based on our data and simulations, we believe we have the pace to compete for victory.”
With so many factors in play—tyres, strategy, weather, and the narrow layout of the Hungaroring—Sunday’s race promises to be anything but predictable. The only certainty is that fans are in for a thrilling battle between three incredibly quick drivers and two of the sport’s most iconic teams.
