Friday Report - Norris leads McLaren one-two in FP2 again

Lando Norris, Hungarian GP 2025
© McLaren

Lando Norris led McLaren to a second consecutive one-two in free practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix, topping FP2 with a time of 1m15.624s ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri.

Both McLarens started the session on medium tyres, with Norris setting the early pace on a 1m16.525s before switching to softs. Lance Stroll briefly took over at the top with a 1m16.119s, but Piastri responded with a 1m15.915s to go fastest—only for Norris to reclaim P1 by 0.291s with his own C5 run.

Piastri’s second push lap was compromised by a wide moment at Turn 7. Moments earlier, the two McLaren drivers nearly came together at Turn 1, where Norris locked up exiting the pit lane just as Piastri arrived on a flying lap.

Charles Leclerc was third fastest for Ferrari with a 1m16.023s, 0.399s off Norris. Stroll stayed in fourth, while Aston Martin team-mate Fernando Alonso returned to action and placed fifth with a 1m16.233s. Alonso had missed FP1 due to back discomfort, with Felipe Drugovich driving in the morning session.

Lewis Hamilton took sixth for Ferrari with a 1m16.329s, followed by George Russell in the lead Mercedes on a 1m16.417s. Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar was eighth on 1m16.427s, continuing his strong form. Yuki Tsunoda recorded a 1m16.485s for Red Bull, ahead of Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli on 1m16.520s in tenth.

Max Verstappen endured a difficult session in the second Red Bull. He finished 14th with a 1m16.791s and reported his car was “undriveable” due to balance issues. The Dutchman was also placed under investigation for discarding a towel that had been left inside the cockpit during his run.

Ollie Bearman was 11th for Haas with a 1m16.567s, narrowly ahead of Nico Hülkenberg’s Sauber on 1m16.680s. Hülkenberg returned after missing FP1, where Paul Aron’s outing ended early due to a dash warning light. Esteban Ocon was 13th for Haas with a 1m16.704s.

Most teams completed long-run simulations in the final third of the session. McLaren, however, remained the clear one-lap benchmark, with Norris and Piastri again setting the pace heading into Saturday qualifying at the Hungaroring.