Lando Norris and Max Verstappen topped the Power Rankings following the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, reflecting their standout performances at the Hungaroring. Norris secured McLaren’s first victory of the season, while Verstappen overcame a challenging qualifying session and car issues to finish strongly.
Norris claimed pole position and managed to convert it into a race win despite a minor mistake on the opening lap. Verstappen, hindered by car degradation that saw him start sixth, fought back to second place thanks to strategic calls and penalties affecting other drivers. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli also impressed by earning a podium finish despite a three-place grid penalty and limited practice time.
The Power Rankings panel, consisting of five judges assessing driver performances independently of machinery, also highlighted several other notable efforts. Liam Lawson showed strong race pace with Racing Bulls’ updated car, finishing well on a two-stop strategy. Oscar Piastri started third and led early laps but retired following a gearbox failure after contact with Carlos Sainz. Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg scored points after a clean qualifying and race, while Lewis Hamilton narrowly missed pole and faced penalties for impeding and pit lane speeding, finishing fifth.
Rookie Arvid Lindblad continued to impress with consistent points finishes, while Isack Hadjar was the best of the midfield runners behind the top five. Aston Martin showed signs of progress with an upgrade package, as Fernando Alonso reached Q2 and finished 14th. Despite setbacks, Charles Leclerc and George Russell narrowly missed out on the top 10 Power Rankings spots.
The Power Rankings offer a subjective evaluation of driver performances at the Hungarian Grand Prix, providing insight into individual efforts beyond official race results. They underline Norris’s breakthrough win and Verstappen’s resilience, alongside strong contributions from midfield drivers and rookies alike.
This assessment highlights how driver skill and racecraft influenced the outcome at the Hungaroring, with penalties, mechanical issues, and strategic decisions playing key roles. The rankings reflect the judges’ independent view of performances across a competitive field including McLaren, Red Bull Racing, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Audi, Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Williams.
