Image Credentials: Image Title: F1 2025 Hungarian GP FP3: Piastri Seizes Momentum as McLaren Dominate Again Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: July 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer | Open Chronicle
Oscar Piastri turned the tide at the Hungaroring by setting the fastest time in Free Practice 3, edging out teammate Lando Norris in a thrilling intra-team showdown. After Norris topped both sessions on Friday, the Australian’s late push on soft tyres showcased McLaren’s depth and the fierce competitiveness between its drivers heading into qualifying.
Piastri clocked a blistering 1:14.916, with Norris just 0.032 seconds behind in another commanding McLaren one-two. The Papaya squad’s momentum looks undeniable heading into the business end of the weekend, asserting itself as the benchmark in Budapest.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc again proved the closest challenger, taking third for the third session in a row. Teammate Lewis Hamilton slotted into fourth, though nearly eight-tenths adrift of Piastri’s time, a gap that suggests Ferrari still have work to do before qualifying.
Top 10 FP3 Results – 2025 Hungarian GP
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:14.916 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.032 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.399 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.768 |
| 5 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.829 |
| 6 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +0.878 |
| 7 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +0.912 |
| 8 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.924 |
| 9 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | +1.062 |
| 10 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | +1.109 |
Mercedes, Aston Martin Show Promise – Red Bull Falter Again
Mercedes had a mixed showing, with Kimi Antonelli impressing in fifth after a late flyer, while George Russell could only manage eighth, struggling to piece together a clean lap. Aston Martin, meanwhile, continues to quietly impress at technical circuits, with both Alonso and Stroll breaking into the top seven.
Red Bull’s woes continued. Max Verstappen showed early promise, but fell to 12th after failing to extract a stable lap, signaling the team’s ongoing set-up struggles. Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar were buried deep in the standings in 19th and 20th, respectively, a stark contrast to the team’s usual front-running form.
McLaren’s Battle Heats Up as Qualifying Beckons
The fight between Piastri and Norris is shaping up to be one of the stories of the weekend. With qualifying just hours away, all eyes are on whether McLaren can convert their practice form into pole position, or if Ferrari, Mercedes, or a resurgent Red Bull can disrupt the orange domination.
As the final session before qualifying wraps up, strategy, tyre management, and driver execution will be critical. The stage is set for a dramatic showdown under the Budapest sun.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.