Lando Norris has asserted Oscar Piastri “deserved” to win the Hungarian Grand Prix despite the team order controversy that unfolded at the end of the race.
For their final pit stops, McLaren pitted Norris before Piastri which resulted in the duo swapping positions in the running order.
The McLaren pit wall pleaded with Norris to hand the race-leading position back to Piastri, which he eventually did a handful of laps before the end.
McLaren bagged its first 1-2 finish since the 2021 Italian GP and closed in on Red Bull in the constructors' championship.
“That's the main thing, honestly,” Norris said of McLaren's race result. “I'm so happy, it's been a long journey to get to achieving this on merit.
“That's exactly what we did today, we were a long way clear of the rest and we did it in style as well. So a good one by the team and of course Oscar.
“He had a good start. He got me off the line and he controlled the race well. It was coming at some point and he deserved it today.”
When asked about his thought process during the McLaren team orders, Norris replied: “The team asked me to do it. So I did it and that's it.”
With McLaren outscoring Red Bull, the gap in the constructors' championship is just 61 points - leaving Norris confident it can continue to challenge for the title this year.
“For sure, definitely as a constructor, two good drivers and an amazing team, absolutely,” he said.
“I think [it will] still be difficult, still a long way to go. Today was our day, Spa it can change completely. So we'll keep pushing, and we'll try to do more of the same.”
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