Lando Norris Leads McLaren 1-2 at 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, Leclerc Third, Hamilton Fourth
In a thrilling display of dominance, McLaren’s Lando Norris clinched victory at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix on June 29, 2025, at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, fending off teammate Oscar Piastri for a McLaren 1-2 finish. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured the final podium spot in third, while teammate Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, continuing his wait for a first Ferrari podium. The race, marked by intense battles and early drama, saw championship contender Max Verstappen crash out on the opening lap, reshaping the title race. This article breaks down the race, its key moments, and its impact on the 2025 Formula 1 season, drawing on reports from Formula1.com, BBC Sport, and other sources.
Race Recap: McLaren’s Masterclass
Starting from pole position, Norris delivered a commanding performance, converting his 0.521-second qualifying advantage over Leclerc into a race lead at Turn 1. His fastest lap of 1:03.971 in qualifying marked the season’s largest pole margin, showcasing McLaren’s pace. Piastri, the championship leader, kept the pressure on, briefly overtaking Norris but losing the position after a close call at Turn 4, where he locked up and nearly collided with his teammate. Norris held a 2.7-second gap by the chequered flag, securing his third win of 2025 and seventh career victory, his first since Monaco earlier in the season.
Piastri’s second-place finish, despite a disrupted qualifying due to a yellow flag caused by Pierre Gasly’s spin, reinforced McLaren’s strength, with the team celebrating their second 1-2 of the year. Leclerc, starting second, was overtaken by Piastri early but secured a solid third for Ferrari, benefiting from upgrades to the car’s floor. Hamilton, starting fourth, ran a steady race on hard tires but couldn’t challenge for the podium, finishing 15 seconds behind Leclerc. Mercedes’ George Russell rounded out the top five, a respectable result after a dramatic opening lap.
Key Moments and Drama
The race began with chaos as reigning champion Max Verstappen, starting seventh after a lackluster qualifying, was eliminated on Lap 2 when Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli misjudged a move at Turn 3, locking his rear tire and colliding with Verstappen’s Red Bull. Both drivers retired, with Antonelli issuing a quick apology: “I’m sorry to the team and sorry to Max”. The incident, at Red Bull’s home track, ended Verstappen’s five-pole streak at the Red Bull Ring and dealt a blow to his title hopes, as he now trails Piastri by 43 points.
Williams faced a “double disaster” with Carlos Sainz unable to start after his car stalled and caught fire on the formation lap, and Alex Albon retiring later due to damage. Further back, Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto shone, securing his first F1 points in eighth, battling Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin, managed by Alonso himself. Liam Lawson’s sixth-place finish for Racing Bulls and Alonso’s seventh added to the midfield excitement.
A notable incident involved Piastri and Franco Colapinto, who earned a five-second penalty for a near-collision while being lapped, though it didn’t affect his position. Yuki Tsunoda also received a 10-second penalty for spinning Colapinto earlier, dropping him to last. Despite these skirmishes, McLaren’s Norris and Piastri maintained control, with Norris noting, “It was a tough race, hot and tiring, but a perfect result for the team”.
Championship Implications
Norris’s win narrowed his gap to Piastri in the drivers’ championship to 19 points, with Piastri’s lead now at 22 points over Verstappen, who failed to score. The collision in Canada two weeks earlier, where Norris crashed into Piastri, had widened the gap, but Norris’s Austria triumph and their post-Canada talks strengthened team dynamics. McLaren’s third 1-2 of 2025, a feat not achieved since 2007, underscores their dominance, with 52 career 1-2 finishes. Ferrari’s consistent scoring with Leclerc and Hamilton keeps them competitive, while Red Bull’s struggles, exacerbated by Verstappen’s DNF and Tsunoda’s penalty, highlight their challenges.
McLaren’s Dominance and Ferrari’s Progress
McLaren’s performance was bolstered by new parts introduced in Austria, giving them an edge in both qualifying and race pace. Norris’s 1:04.580 in FP2 and pole lap of 1:03.971 showcased their superiority, with Piastri’s pace suggesting a front-row lockout was possible without Gasly’s spin. Piastri reflected, “I felt like the pace this weekend has been good, but Lando was very quick”.
Ferrari’s upgraded floor showed promise, with Leclerc and Hamilton in fourth and fifth in FP2, a marked improvement from their “dismal” Friday. Leclerc’s podium and Hamilton’s P4 signal Ferrari’s potential to challenge McLaren in upcoming races, particularly at Silverstone, where Hamilton hopes for his first Ferrari podium.
Fan and Media Reactions
The McLaren pit wall erupted in celebration, with “hugs all round” as Norris and Piastri delivered “the most excitement we’ve seen at the front for years,” per BBC Sport. Fans on X echoed this, with @McLarenF1 posting updates like “Lando P1, Oscar P2” throughout the race, culminating in “LANDO NORRIS WINS THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX!”. However, some fans, like Rachel T on X, called the race “a bit of a nothing race” apart from the Lap 1 crash and late McLaren battles. Media outlets like The Athletic hailed Norris’s “perfect response” to Canada, while Sky Sports noted McLaren’s “dominant start” in Spielberg.
What This Means for F1
Norris’s victory, McLaren’s first at the Red Bull Ring since 2001, tightens the 2025 title race and signals their resurgence as a top team. With Piastri leading the championship and Norris closing in, their rivalry—handled with “trust and honesty” post-Canada—promises more thrilling battles. Ferrari’s upgrades position them as contenders, while Red Bull faces pressure to regroup after Verstappen’s early exit. As the season heads to Silverstone, fans can expect intense competition, with McLaren’s momentum and Ferrari’s progress setting the stage for a dramatic second half.
