F1 Austrian GP: Lando Norris charges to pole, Max Verstappen down in seventh
Lando Norris stormed to pole position for the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix as his dominant weekend in Spielberg continued.
The McLaren driver had sat out of FP1 but since then he has led the way in every session and was untouchable in a Q3 session that was tempered by a late yellow flag.
Advertisement
Norris' blistering pace saw him seal pole with the biggest gap of the season to date, his lap of 1m03.971s more than enough to keep Leclerc behind him – although the Ferrari driver will be delighted to have split the McLarens.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri will start third after a spin for the Alpine of Pierre Gasly ruined the final lap of the McLaren driver, as well as the Red Bull of Max Verstappen – who will start seventh having taken pole position for the past four Austrian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton will start fourth for Ferrari with George Russell fifth and Liam Lawson impressing by taking sixth for Racing Bulls.
With Verstappen down in seventh he will start alongside the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto, who followed up his F2 win in Styria last year by putting in his best F1 qualifying performance of his rookie season.
Advertisement
Andrea Kimi Antonelli was ninth for Mercedes with Gasly's untimely spin leaving him 10th.
Marshals extinguish a trackside fire in Q2 during qualifying
Marshals extinguish a trackside fire in Q2 during qualifying
A red flag in Q2 due to a fire at the side of the final corner, where Hamilton had run wide, meant that all 15 drivers were pushing for fast laps when the session resumed with a little over five minutes remaining.
Bortoleto put in a stunning effort as Fernando Alonso, Alex Albon, Isack Hadjar, Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman were those unable to produce a time to get through to Q3 and will start 11th-15th, respectively, with Antonelli squeaking through.
Advertisement
Pressure continues to grow on Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull as he was eliminated in Q1 at the team's home race.
Read Also:
Toto Wolff on the "probability" of Max Verstappen joining Mercedes
The Japanese driver will start 18th, with the back row taken by Carlos Sainz, the Williams driver knocked out in the first stage of qualifying for the third race in a row, and the experienced Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg.
Tsunoda could consider himself slightly unlucky, he was only 0.250s off the Q1 pace of team-mat Verstappen – but that proved the difference between sixth and 18th, while Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon were also unable to get into Q2.
F1 Austrian Grand Prix - Qualifying results
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Max Verstappen Snubs F1's Flashy World, Admits He Hates the Spotlight
Max Verstappen Snubs F1's Flashy World, Admits He Hates the Spotlight originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Max Verstappen loves Formula 1 but don't expect to see him enjoying the glamorous side of the sport. The reigning champion has made it clear that he has little patience for the glitz that follows F1 and he's not afraid to admit it. Advertisement Speaking ahead of the Austrian GP, Verstappen offered an honest take on why he avoids the spotlight whenever possible. 'Being authentic is not something I have to try and focus on,' he said. 'It's just who I am.' This comes after the drivers showed up at the premier of the F1 Movie co-produced by Lewis Hamilton. 'I don't like to be on the red carpet and dress up in a suit. I don't like to interact with people I don't really know, and have a fake smile and fake chat,' Verstappen confessed. 'It's horrible, I just don't enjoy it.' It's a candid admission that sets Verstappen apart in a sport often tied to luxury events, celebrity parties, and sponsor gatherings. While some drivers lean into these events, Verstappen remains laser focused on the track and is quick to distance himself from the circus that surrounds it. Max Verstappen talks to media during qualifying in comments resonate with fans who admire his straightforward, no-nonsense approach. For Verstappen, the appeal of F1 is still the raw thrill of racing, not the photo ops. Advertisement Even as he sits at the peak of his career, Verstappen shows no interest in changing his tune. In a paddock obsessed with image, his blunt honesty is refreshing. Love it or hate it, Verstappen remains unapologetically himself: a driver who'd rather be in the cockpit fighting for tenths than working a velvet rope. And if that means skipping another glittering afterparty? For Max, that's not a sacrifice, it's exactly how he likes it. Related: Max Verstappen Is Nothing Like the Media Portrays, Says F1 Movie Star This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lewis Hamilton Called Out 'BS Scenes' in F1 Movie Says Damson Idris
Lewis Hamilton Called Out 'BS Scenes' in F1 Movie Says Damson Idris originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Lewis Hamilton isn't just lending his name to the upcoming F1 movie, he's shaping it's authenticity. Actor Damson Idris, who plays the lead role in the Hamilton-co-produced Apple Original Film, opened up about Hamilton's involvement on set and how the seven-time world champion made sure the movie didn't drift into Hollywood fiction. 'He kinda called [expletive] on some of the sequences that wouldn't happen in real life,' Idris revealed in a recent interview. 'It was really just a sense of encouragement from Lewis. Anytime he came on set — everyone would be really excited.' The film, directed by top gun: Maverick's Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, stars Idris as a former F1 driver making a comeback. Hamilton, who has been deeply involved in ensuring the film reflects the reality of the sport, helped tweak scenes to reflect the intensity and complexity of life in the paddock. According to Idris, Hamilton's input went beyond technical accuracy — he brought motivation and mentorship. 'He'd congratulate me and encourage me to keep going, and that fuelled me throughout the whole process of filming,' the actor added. While most of the film remains under wraps ahead of its international release, these behind-the-scenes insights offer a glimpse into the level of care Hamilton is putting into the project. For a sport often misunderstood in pop culture, Hamilton's insistence on realism could be what sets this film apart. In short: when Hollywood tried to overtake F1 reality, Lewis Hamilton hit the brakes. With global fan anticipation building, and Hamilton's stamp of authenticity behind it, the movie could do for F1 what top gun: Maverick did for fighter jets — and Hamilton wouldn't have it any other story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Novak Djokovic Joins McLaren for Surprise Visit and Champion's Talk With Zak Brown
Novak Djokovic Joins McLaren for Surprise Visit and Champion's Talk With Zak Brown originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In an unexpected crossover, Novak Djokovic paid a surprise visit to McLaren Technology Centre and was welcomed by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown. Advertisement The 24-time Grand Slam winner toured the facility and shared insights on what it takes to become a champion and maintain excellence under pressure. Brown posted a picture of him holding a tennis racket and Djokovic with a helmet on X writing: "Brilliant to welcome tennis legend @DjokerNole to the McLaren Technology Centre – great conversation about what it takes to become a champion and how to stay focused and resilient under pressure. Good luck for @Wimbledon!" With Wimbledon around the corner, Djokovic's visit couldn't have come at a more pivotal time. Zak Brown during the Miami Grand Casey-Imagn Images The Serbian has long been admired for his tough mindset and longevity. These are the traits that McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri must also embody in the high-pressure world of Formula 1. Advertisement The visit also highlights McLaren's growing presence beyond the world of motorsport. For Djokovic, the time at McLaren facility presented him a moment to reflect and recharge ahead of another shot at Wimbledon glory. This also isn't the first time that Djokovic has marked his presence in the F1 world. He was also present at the 2024 Qatar GP. Whether it's Grand Slams or Grand Prix, champions always recognize one another. Related: Valtteri Bottas Drops Cryptic Cadillac Clip and Fans Lose It This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
