Power Rankings: The Standouts at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Lando Norris led McLaren to their first win of the 2026 season at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Explore which drivers impressed the judges with their performance over the weekend.
Lando Norris and McLaren finally tasted victory in 2026 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, outpacing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. But who else caught the eye of the Power Rankings judges at the Hungaroring? Let's delve into the scores and the overall leaderboard.
The Power Rankings Method - A five-judge panel evaluates each driver post-race, scoring them out of 10 based on their weekend performance, independent of their car's capabilities. - These scores are averaged to give a race score, contributing to an overall season leaderboard.
Norris arrived in Hungary determined to bounce back from a missed opportunity in Belgium. The reigning World Champion delivered, with the MCL40 upgrades coming to life in his hands. Despite a minor slip at Turn 2 on lap one, his pace was undeniable, and he clinched a well-earned victory.
Meanwhile, Verstappen took sixth in qualifying, citing 'degrading' issues with his Red Bull. Despite further car troubles on Sunday, he clawed his way to second with some 'spicy' strategy decisions and an audacious overtake on Lewis Hamilton.
Liam Lawson, after a frustrating Spa, got Racing Bulls' latest updates and showed his mettle. Although he missed Q3, his race performance on a two-stop strategy was commendable, adding more points in a strong midfield campaign.
Kimi Antonelli's weekend was a mixed bag. Missing FP1 track time didn't help, and a grid penalty for a yellow flag infringement set him back. However, he navigated the race with maturity, securing a podium for Mercedes.
Nico Hulkenberg, after a season of misfortune, finally found some respite at the Hungaroring. An untroubled run saw him into Q3 and earning points for Audi.
Oscar Piastri started third and had a dream first lap, overtaking Charles Leclerc and Norris. However, a gearbox issue ended his challenge prematurely after a collision with Carlos Sainz.
Lewis Hamilton was on a redemption arc after Belgium, narrowly missing pole to Norris. Post-qualifying penalties and another for pit lane speeding left him finishing fifth, where he started.
Arvid Lindblad continued to impress with a sixth straight points finish. His strategy differed from Lawson's, but his consistency at just 18 years old is noteworthy.
Isack Hadjar, like Verstappen, was frustrated after qualifying. Despite penalties around him, he finished sixth, holding off a charging George Russell.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso saw promising signs with the new upgrades. He reached Q2 and finished 14th, just behind Lance Stroll, hinting at a potential turnaround for the team.