Norris delivers honest verdict on McLaren's upgraded MCL40 after Hungary masterclass

Lando Norris has shared his verdict on the upgraded McLaren MCL40 after cruising to a commanding victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The reigning world champion returned to the top step of the podium in Budapest after converting pole position into a flawless race victory. It marked his first Grand Prix win since the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix and came after McLaren introduced five upgrades to the MCL40 in Hungary, four of which were performance-related. The Woking-based team enjoyed a dominant weekend, with Norris crossing the line more than 15 seconds clear of the field.

Speaking during the post-race press conference, Norris was asked how encouraged he was by McLaren's newfound pace. However, the Briton was keen to temper expectations despite the emphatic result.

"I mean, I'm just happy with today. It doesn't mean if I'm quick here, we're going to be quick everywhere. One thing I've learned for sure is just to have no expectations of the future and just to work in the present. I think that's the way we've been doing everything as a team," Norris explained.

The 26-year-old went on to express his confidence that McLaren can continue addressing the weaknesses that have left it vulnerable to its rivals at certain circuits.

"But I have confidence in the team. I had confidence that we could win a race, and it came a bit sooner than I thought. I have confidence that we can improve in those areas that are not good enough at the time," he concluded.

The Hungarian Grand Prix also marked the first race this season in which McLaren looked capable of securing a one-two finish. However, those hopes were dashed when Oscar Piastri suffered a gearbox failure with fewer than 20 laps remaining, forcing the Australian to retire.

Earlier, Norris confidently declared that he had been "on another level" compared to the rest of the field in Hungary and insisted he would have beaten Piastri even without the Australian's retirement. After losing the lead to his teammate on the opening lap, Norris shadowed Piastri throughout the opening two stints while appearing to have the stronger pace. The race swung decisively during the second round of pit stops.

Williams driver Carlos Sainz made contact with Piastri after turning into the McLaren, costing the Australian valuable time. That allowed Norris to emerge ahead after making his own second stop, before pulling clear at the front. Although Piastri would later retire with a gearbox issue, Norris had already established a comfortable lead and looked firmly in control of the race.