Mercedes Looks Mortal Again as McLaren, Verstappen Rekindle 2025 Rivalry in Hungary

For one afternoon, Formula 1 felt like it had turned the clock back.

Lando Norris returned to Victory Lane. Max Verstappen charged through the field to finish second. And Mercedes?

The Silver Arrows suddenly looked vulnerable.

After establishing themselves as the benchmark through much of the 2026 season, Mercedes struggled to match the outright pace of McLaren and Red Bull at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Hungaroring’s technical layout exposed the team’s weaknesses, leaving both drivers fighting to salvage points rather than contend for the win.

That opened the door for a familiar battle.

Norris controlled the race from the front for McLaren, while Verstappen once again reminded the paddock why he’s one of the sport’s most relentless racers, carving through the field to finish runner-up after an aggressive drive.

For longtime Formula 1 fans, it was a welcome dose of nostalgia.

Much of the 2025 season revolved around McLaren and Verstappen trading punches nearly every weekend. Hungary briefly revived that script, with Norris and Verstappen emerging as the class of the field while Mercedes searched for answers.

One race doesn’t erase everything Mercedes has accomplished this season.

Far from it.

Championship-caliber teams rarely stay down for long, and the summer break gives engineers valuable time to understand what went wrong before the calendar resumes.

Still, Sunday’s result served as an important reminder.

Formula 1’s competitive order can change quickly.

One circuit favors one team.

The next may reward another.

And if Hungary is any indication, the battle for victories in the second half of the season may be far more open than it appeared just a few weeks ago.

That’s good news for everyone.

Especially Formula 1 fans.