Formula One returns to a fan-favourite track this weekend as the Hungaroring Circuit in Budapest hosts the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton claimed his first victory in 31 months last time out at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, holding off a late charge from Max Verstappen for a famous ninth win at his home race.
Nonetheless, Verstappen has an 84-point lead in the F1 world championship at the halfway stage of the season, with Lando Norris in second as he targets another win following a handful of near-misses in recent weeks.
Mercedes, meanwhile, are eyeing a third consecutive victory this weekend after George Russell’s win in Austria, while Ferrari are looking to return to form following a torrid triple-header in which Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz struggled for pace. Verstappen won last year’s race in Budapest by a comfortable margin.
Follow live updates from the Hungarian Grand Prix with The Independent
Lap 52/70
Oscar Piastri is three and a half seconds back on Lando Norris, with the Australian told that Norris will give him the place when that gap is closed to avoid giving up too much time. Can he close it, though? That’s a pretty sizeable advantage.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 July 2024 15:15
Lap 50/70
Lando Norris is told to “re-establish the order” at his convenience as McLaren seek to secure the one-two. Oscar Piastri almost makes a real error, scuttling through some trackside gravel, but no serious harm is done.
Max Verstappen will pit out of the lead. Out he comes…in fifth.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 July 2024 15:12
Lap 47/70
And Norris is responding superbly, his out lap outstanding as he closes in on Carlos Sainz.
Oscar Piastri is coming in – he’ll come out behind his teammate. Again, McLaren urge him not to worry about Norris, but that’s easier said than done. The gap between the pair is two and a half seconds or so.
![](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/07/21/15/newFile.jpg)
Harry Latham-Coyle21 July 2024 15:10
Lap 46/70
“Box, box,” McLaren beckon Lando Norris in. The mediums are on quickly, Norris covering Lewis Hamilton with McLaren swiftly allaying any fears Oscar Piastri might develop by assuring the race leader that he is their priority.
Norris has a little more than five seconds on Hamilton, so should be perfectly fine in that role.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 July 2024 15:08
Lap 42/70
Lando Norris has been given the freedom to chase Oscar Piastri, though it appears that the Australian has re-found his speed having got his tyres dirty running off the track a little earlier. Lando Norris is about 1.7 seconds back.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 July 2024 15:02
Lap 41/70
Another tetchy exchange between Red Bull and the reigning world champion. Mercedes pit, giving Max Verstappen clear road ahead of him, while Charles Leclerc follows Lewis Hamilton in. They’ll have oxygen of their own in which to breathe as they get their tyres up to temperature in fifth and six.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 July 2024 15:00
Lap 39/70
This is excellent defensive driving from Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen darts left and right, searching for an opening, but none are apparent.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 July 2024 14:58
Lap 37/70
Pierre Gasly has been forced to retire. He’s out of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Lando Norris is just starting to set his sights on Oscar Piastri, lapping quicker than his teammate despite that earlier declaration from McLaren that securing second spot was his priority. Could Piastri have lost a bit of time trying to navigate beyond some back markers?
Harry Latham-Coyle21 July 2024 14:55
Lap 35/70
Drama! Max Verstappen blows by Lewis Hamilton after the Mercedes locks up, but carries way too much speed into a corner, allowing Hamilton to take third spot again.
It prompts another foul-mouthed tirade on the radio from the Dutchman, absolutely incandescent with his car neither braking nor turning as he’d like.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 July 2024 14:53
Lap 34/70
“Everything looks ok,” Sky report of the fortunes of Oscar Piastri, an oasis of calm at the front of the race. The more urgent McLaren chatter appears to be in Lando Norris’ ear, with a few worries about how the Brit is running. Nothing imminently concerning, it would appear.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 July 2024 14:51