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Lando Norris Leads Hungarian GP Practice, Then Blasts F1 Leadership

Norris topped final practice at the Hungaroring on Saturday, the first non-Mercedes driver to do so this season, before criticizing Formula 1's direction.

2025 Japan GP - McLaren - Lando Norris - FP1
2025 Japan GP - McLaren - Lando Norris - FP1      Lando Norris Mclaren    Liauzh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
By Free News Press Editorial Team
Published July 25, 2026 at 1:51 PM PDT

Lando Norris was the fastest driver in final practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday, marking the first time this season that a driver not in a Mercedes has topped a practice session. Ferrari and Mercedes were also in the mix at the Hungaroring, according to ESPN.

Norris, the reigning world champion, has been one of the central figures of the 2026 Formula 1 season. His pace in final practice Saturday put McLaren in a strong position heading into qualifying.

But Norris also used the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend to speak out against the direction of the sport. According to ESPN, the world champion accused Formula 1 chiefs of putting profit before the sport itself, calling the current approach a shame and saying it is "not how a sport should be run."

The comments added an edge to what was otherwise a competitive on-track session. Norris has not been shy about voicing frustration with how the sport is managed at the top level, and his remarks in Hungary continued that pattern.

The Hungaroring has historically been a circuit that rewards precise car setup and clean air. With Ferrari and Mercedes both showing competitive pace in practice alongside McLaren, qualifying and the race itself are expected to be closely contested.

McLaren MCL38
McLaren MCL38      Lando Norris Mclaren    Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)