“The team asked me to do it, and I did it” : Lando Norris on letting Oscar Piastri through at the Hungarian GP
McLaren secured their first 1-2 finish of the season, as Oscar Piastri claimed his first ever F1 race victory in Hungary. Lando Norris finished P2, as McLaren claimed maximum points from the weekend to cut the gap of Red Bull in the Constructors championship.
However, there was no shortage of drama at the Hungarian GP, as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri swapped positions in final laps of the Hungarian GP. British driver Lando Norris was given the track position with the objective of swapping positions with Oscar Piastri, who was leading the race when the pit stop was made.
Lando Norris seemed to initially decline the team orders suggesting to swap positions with the Australian. However, after some serious communication from the McLaren team, the Briton finally gave up his place.
After the race, Lando Norris stated that he let the Australian through, as the team instructed him to do so. “The team asked me to do it, and I did it,” said Norris.
“A long way clear of the rest” : Lando Norris on McLaren’s success this season
Lando Norris put away personal matters on the side, and stated that it was a great day for the team to claim a 1-2 finish. McLaren have been the improved team on the grid, as the season has progressed. They have regularly competed for wins, and look the fastest car on the grid at the moment.
“Amazing day for us as a team, that’s the main thing. A long journey to achieving this on merit, and a long way clear of the rest. Oscar got me off the line, it’s been coming and he deserved it today,” added Lando Norris.
Oscar Piastri stated that the switch was well managed by the team, even if it was left a little too late. The Australian driver becomes the seventh driver to win a race this season, as he believes that car has been doing wonders for both drivers currently.
“The longer you leave it [to switch], the more you get a bit nervous but yeah I think it was the right thing, I put myself in the right position at the start and yes, my pace wasn’t what I wanted in the last stint but well managed by the team,” the Australian added.
