Austrian Grand Prix 2025: Chaos, Upsets, and McLaren Triumph

Upsets

Rain Interrupts Before the Race Even Begins

The 2025 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring got off to a rocky start. Carlos Sainz had a gearbox problem just before the formation lap, delaying the race by about 15 minutes. The race, originally set for 71 laps, was shortened to 70 laps as a result Pole Position Drama

On Saturday, Lando Norris secured a dominant pole position for McLaren, clocking a blistering lap time of 1:03.971—over half a second quicker than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. His teammate Oscar Piastri qualified third, showing the strength of McLaren’s race pace .

Meanwhile, a surprising twist: reigning champion Max Verstappen struggled during qualifying and had to settle for a lowly seventh, hampered by a yellow flag from Pierre Gasly’s spin.

First-Lap Collision Rocks the Field

Just after the lights went out, drama struck. Max Verstappen collided with rookie Kimi Antonelli and crashed out on the first lap, marking Verstappen’s first DNF and ending his impressive 31-race scoring streak . This incident shook up the race order and opened the door for others.

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McLaren in Charge

With Verstappen out, Lando Norris took control of the race, though he was closely followed by his teammate Piastri. For much of the race, the two McLarens ran together, with Norris doing enough to maintain his lead .

Tactical Moves & Tire Battles

As the race wore on, drivers began making their second pit stops. Charles Leclerc dropped back into third during his stop, while Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were vying for a top-four finish .Track temps soared near 50°C, putting extra strain on tires and strategy.

Final Results & Who Took the Podium

• 1st: Lando Norris (McLaren) – fought hard to hold off Piastri and secure victory
• 2nd: Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – second place finish, marking a strong team 1–2
• 3rd: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – solid podium while Ferrari capitalized on rivals’ chaos 

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell followed in fourth and fifth, respectively .

Final Thoughts

The Austrian Grand Prix was a wild ride—delays, crashes, and a stunning McLaren performance. While Verstappen’s early exit turned heads, Norris and Piastri made sure to capitalize. Heading into Silverstone, McLaren look stronger than ever, Verstappen’s dominance has cracks, and the championship battle grows ever more exciting.