Austrian GP: Norris on pole as Max Verstappen blasts ‘na…read more
Lando Norris secured a sensational pole position at the Austrian Grand Prix, putting on an impressive performance during Saturday’s qualifying session. The McLaren driver outpaced the rest of the field, showing both speed and composure to claim the top spot on the grid. Norris will be joined on the front row by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who also delivered a strong showing but couldn’t quite match Norris’s pace.
The day, however, proved to be a frustrating one for home favorite Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver will only start from seventh on the grid, capping off a session full of complications. Verstappen labeled his Red Bull RB20 “undriveable” over team radio, expressing his frustration with the car’s handling throughout the session. Things got even more heated when he encountered Lewis Hamilton on track during Q1 in what appeared to be an impeding incident. Verstappen called Hamilton’s move “naughty,” while the stewards noted the moment for further review. Though no penalty was issued immediately, the clash added tension to an already difficult afternoon for the reigning world champion.
To make matters worse, Verstappen’s final push lap in Q3 was ruined by a yellow flag, triggered by another car running wide. This left the Dutchman unable to improve his time, forcing him to settle for a disappointing seventh place on the starting grid — a far cry from his usual front-row positions, especially at Red Bull’s home circuit.
Adding to the dramatic atmosphere at Spielberg was a significant delay before Formula 1 qualifying began, due to a terrifying crash in the earlier Formula 2 session. The incident involved Arvid Lindblad, Luke Browning, and Sami Meguetounif. In a chaotic scene, Meguetounif’s Trident car rolled over both Lindblad’s Campos and Browning’s Hitech machine, eventually coming to a stop upside down. The crash brought out a lengthy red flag and delayed F1 qualifying by several minutes. Fortunately, all three drivers were reported to be unharmed following medical checks.
As the grid is now set for Sunday’s race, all eyes will be on Norris, who will be seeking his second Formula 1 win, and Verstappen, who will have a challenging job ahead of him if he hopes to recover from the fourth row. The combination of strong performances, unexpected incidents, and fiery on-track moments has set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable Austrian Grand Prix.
