F1 2025 Austrian Grand Prix starting grid with penalties app…read more
Lando Norris will begin the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix from pole position, continuing a weekend of sheer dominance at the Red Bull Ring. While that headline alone is impressive, it doesn’t fully capture just how commanding his performance has been throughout the event. Despite missing out on the opening free practice session—where young driver Alex Dunne was given a chance behind the wheel—Norris has been untouchable ever since returning to the cockpit.
From the moment FP2 began, Norris established himself as the driver to beat, topping the time sheets in that session and every one that followed. His form carried over into qualifying, where he posted the fastest times in each segment—Q1, Q2, and Q3—culminating in a sensational final flying lap that shattered the previous benchmark. His ultimate time dipped below 64 seconds, an unprecedented feat at a circuit known for incredibly tight margins between competitors. The lap placed him more than half a second clear of his closest rival, Charles Leclerc—a significant gap on a track where tenths usually separate rows.
While Norris looked untouchable, the story wasn’t as straightforward for some of the other front-runners. Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri both encountered issues during their final qualifying attempts. Though it’s unclear whether either could have matched Norris’ stunning pace even under ideal conditions, their compromised laps meant they weren’t able to mount a serious challenge. For Verstappen, the local favorite due to Red Bull Racing’s home advantage, it was a particularly frustrating outcome, especially given his typically strong form at this venue.
Interestingly, it was Lewis Hamilton who momentarily grabbed headlines by setting a fast lap in qualifying, at one point even appearing to claim pole. However, that claim turned out to be premature or misreported, as the final standings confirmed Norris at the top. Hamilton’s effort was commendable, though, and serves as a reminder that the seven-time world champion remains highly competitive, particularly as Mercedes continues to improve their package.
Meanwhile, penalties applied to several drivers have slightly shuffled the starting grid, though Norris remains unaffected and firmly on pole. The grid shake-up affects the midfield and lower end of the top ten more significantly. With Norris leading the charge and his McLaren team showing strong race pace, Sunday’s race promises to be an exciting battle, particularly with the likes of Leclerc, Hamilton, and Verstappen all eager to reel him in. But if Norris maintains the form he has shown all weekend, the rest of the field may be fighting for second best.
