Piastri wins first F1 race as Norris obeys team orders at Hungarian GP

Australian driver Oscar Piastri won his first Formula One race after teammate Lando Norris handed him back the lead to complete a McLaren one-two at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday.

That outstanding result came after a long and at times awkward back-and-forth between the British team and its top driver before Norris finally obeyed orders to let Piastri back in front.

Piastri started second behind pole-sitting Norris and beat him to the first turn. Norris then got ahead after a pit-stop strategy that favored him despite being behind his teammate, but he eventually listed to team orders and let Piastri take the victory.

"This is the day I dreamed of as a kid, standing on the top step of the podium," the 23-year-old Piastri said. "A bit complicated at the end, but I put myself in a good position off the start. "I had a lot of trust in Lando, and I think it was a fair decision to swap us back at the end."

Lewis Hamilton finished third behind the papaya-colored pair for his record-extending 200th career podium.

Points leader Max Verstappen finished fifth behind Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari and has now gone three races without a victory. Verstappen still leads the standings with 265 points to Norris' 189 but the Dutchman has seen Red Bull's speed advantage evaporate this summer.

McLaren's huge victory will also be remembered for the team debate over which driver would finally come out on top.

At first, the team told Piastri that the pit strategy was to ensure Norris could keep Hamilton at bay, while asking Norris to give the place back "at his convenience."

As the laps ticked by and Norris didn't budge, McLaren told Piastri that he could get back in front when he caught up with Norris. Finally, the team turned to pleading with Norris just to let Piastri by.

"I know you will do the right thing," the team told Norris. After a long silence, Norris replied "tell him to catch up then please."

The tension was building until Norris eased up and allowed Piastri past with two laps to go.

Piastri and Norris exchanged a brief handshake while taking off their helmets and after both were congratulated by McLaren staff and other drivers.

"I don't know any driver who when leading the race is happy to swap back, that's not the nature of drivers," McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said. "That's why we have to recall our principles ... in these battles, Lando will need the support of Oscar and the support of the team."