Rand Norris secured an important victory over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri at the Austrian Grand Prix. This thrilling and intense race at the Red Bull Ring delivered clear winners and losers.
Winner – Rand Norris/McLaren
Norris needed a strong comeback after his disappointment in Canada, aiming to reignite his championship hopes. Following a pole position secured through dominant practice sessions, he managed to fend off Piastri’s challenge and triumphed in Austria, marking his third win of the season. McLaren celebrated a 1-2 finish, while Mercedes had a poor race, boosting McLaren’s lead at the top of the constructors’ championship to 207 points.
Loser – Max Verstappen
Verstappen’s defense of his title suffered a major blow after retiring early due to a collision with Kimi Antonelli at turn 3. Falling 61 points behind in the championship, the Dutch driver faces a tough battle ahead, especially with McLaren’s rising advantage and ongoing issues with the RB21 car.
Winner – Ferrari
Ferrari had their best weekend of the season, showing strong qualifying and race performance thanks to significant upgrades. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished third and fourth respectively, marking their top results in 2025, and Ferrari climbed to second fastest in Austria, second in the constructors’ standings, although victory still seems out of reach.
Loser – Kimi Antonelli
After a strong showing in Canada, Antonelli’s race was ruined quickly in Austria as he lost control and took Verstappen out, resulting in a retirement and a grid penalty for the next race. This weekend was a harsh reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in F1.
Winner – Liam Lawson
Lawson enjoyed a breakthrough weekend, achieving his best results of the year with a sixth-place finish in Austria. Starting from sixth on the grid, he outperformed Verstappen and helped Red Bull’s sister team climb to sixth in the constructors’ standings.
Loser – Williams
Williams endured a frustrating weekend with both cars failing to finish. Carlos Sainz didn’t start due to a fiery pit stop incident, and Alex Albon retired for the second race in a row due to overheating problems.
Winner – Gabriel Boltreto / Sauber
Rookie Boltreto had his best weekend yet, finishing points and holding off his mentor Fernando Alonso. Together with Nico Hülkenberg’s climb from 20th to 9th, Sauber scored their first double points finish of the year.
Loser – Yuki Tsunoda
Tsunoda struggled to keep pace in Austria, experiencing a difficult day highlighted by a collision causing front-wing damage and a costly pit stop, leaving him near the back of the field.
Winner – Esteban Ocon
Ocon continued a strong recent form, finishing in the points from 17th on the grid. Capitalizing on chaos around him, he helped Haas avoid falling behind Aston Martin in the standings.
Loser – Franco Colapinto
Colapinto’s errors impacted not only his race but also that of the championship leader, Piastri. He received a five-second penalty and license points for the collision, dropping to 15th by the end of the race.
Fan Take: This race was a pivotal moment in the 2025 Formula 1 season, showcasing McLaren’s rise and Verstappen’s challenges, which inject fresh excitement and unpredictability into the championship battle. For racing fans, it highlights the intense competition and drama that keep the sport thrilling every weekend.
