Mercedes believes McLaren’s strong performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix was not only down to the team’s latest upgrades, but also to an outstanding drive from Lando Norris.
McLaren introduced new parts to its car in Budapest, and the improvements helped Norris take pole position before claiming his first win of the 2026 Formula 1 season. It was also only the third race this year not won by Mercedes.
Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta admitted McLaren’s upgrades made a clear difference, but said there was “more to it” because Norris finished well ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri.
Resta explained that McLaren’s two drivers have shown different levels of performance throughout the season and suggested Hungary was one of those weekends where Norris was completely comfortable with the car, setup and tyre management.
Despite McLaren’s progress, Mercedes still leads both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Resta also praised George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, saying their strong performances and healthy competition continue to help the team fight for more success.
