Lando Norris reignited his title hopes with a commanding victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, holding off a determined Oscar Piastri in a thrilling McLaren one-two finish. The win, Norris’s third of the season, cuts his deficit to his teammate to just 15 points in the championship standings, with the season entering a crucial mid-point phase.
The race, held under the watchful gaze of the Styrian mountains, saw McLaren’s duo deliver a gripping spectacle. From lights out to the chequered flag, Norris and Piastri engaged in an intense wheel-to-wheel duel. There was little to separate the two, but Norris’s experience and composure saw him withstand the relentless pressure, especially after their controversial clash at the previous round in Canada. This time, the battle was clean, tight, and thrilling, with McLaren eventually instructing Piastri to avoid risky overtakes following a near-miss at turn four.
Norris had started from pole and led with authority, capitalizing on a major upgrade package introduced by McLaren. Of particular significance was a front-suspension development fitted to his car, tailored to improve front-axle feedback – a feature Norris has long craved. He clearly felt the difference, displaying confidence and precision throughout, even as Piastri remained glued to his rear wing for much of the race.
The win comes as a pivotal moment in Norris’s campaign. Having struggled at times with the car’s balance earlier in the season, especially in qualifying, this performance suggests he’s now armed with a machine that complements his aggressive cornering style. His dominance in qualifying and composure under fire in the race mark a significant upturn in form.
For Red Bull and Max Verstappen, the weekend was nothing short of a disaster. The reigning world champion’s race ended abruptly on the first lap after a collision with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. The contact, which saw Antonelli penalized with a three-place grid drop for the next race, left Verstappen’s car damaged and his title chances severely dented. He now sits 61 points behind Piastri, with McLaren showing a clear performance advantage.
Ferrari, meanwhile, saw a return to form, with Charles Leclerc claiming third and Lewis Hamilton a strong fourth. Both drivers benefitted from recent upgrades that appear to have improved overall performance.
Behind them, George Russell secured fifth for Mercedes, followed by Liam Lawson in sixth for Racing Bulls. Fernando Alonso, Gabriel Bortoleto, Nico Hülkenberg, and Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten, as the grid now turns its attention to the next race at Silverstone – a track that promises more drama and another McLaren showdown.
