Lando Norris Dominates Austrian GP Qualifying, Frustrating Rivals

Norris Secures Pole Position

Lando Norris showcased exceptional skill at the Austrian Grand Prix, clinching pole position with a commanding performance that left championship leader Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen visibly frustrated. Norris, who has been on a roll since the second practice session, outpaced Charles Leclerc by over half a second—marking the largest pole margin of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Late Drama Affects Rivals

Piastri, currently 22 points ahead of Norris in the Drivers’ Championship, and Verstappen were both hindered in their final Q3 runs by yellow flags resulting from a spin by Pierre Gasly. Despite their setbacks, it was evident that both drivers would have struggled to match Norris’s blistering pace.

Lewis Hamilton achieved his best qualifying result of the year, securing fourth place, followed closely by George Russell and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson. Verstappen, who trails Piastri by 43 points in the standings, had to settle for seventh after being forced to abort his lap due to Gasly’s incident.

Notable Qualifying Results

Gabriel Bortoleto from Sauber made headlines by reaching Q3 for the first time, qualifying in eighth. Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes and Gasly rounded out the top ten. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda faced his third consecutive Q1 elimination, starting the race from 18th position.

Austrian GP Qualifying: Top 10

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
5. George Russell (Mercedes)
6. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
8. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
9. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

Norris’s Remarkable Comeback

After a challenging outing in Canada, Norris hit the ground running in Austria. He sat out the first practice session for Irish teenager Alex Dunne, who impressed the paddock. Norris quickly found his rhythm, topping both the second and final practice sessions.

In Q3, Norris delivered a stunning 1:04.268 on his first run, taking provisional pole by 0.228 seconds from Leclerc. He then pushed the limits further, clocking a remarkable 1:03.971 on his final attempt.

Expert Commentary

Sky Sports F1 analyst Naomi Schiff praised Norris’s performance, stating, "He put it together, he didn’t mess up the lap, and it’s been outstanding from him so far this weekend." Norris himself expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting, "I did what I planned to do, and when it goes right, it normally goes very, very well."

Piastri and Verstappen Reflect on Missed Opportunities

Piastri lamented the yellow flag incident that disrupted his final lap, stating, "Lando has been very quick all weekend, and it would have been a tough challenge, but we had enough pace to be on the front row." Verstappen, who was on track for a strong finish, now faces an uphill battle from seventh place.

Looking Ahead

As the teams prepare for the race on Sunday, the excitement builds. The lights will go out at 2 PM local time, with the event broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event. With Norris’s impressive form and the challenges faced by his rivals, the Austrian Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

Sky Sports F1’s Austrian GP Schedule

• Sunday, June 29
  • 7:25 AM: F3 Feature Race
  • 8:55 AM: F2 Feature Race
  • 10:40 AM: Porsche Supercup
  • 12:30 PM: Grand Prix Sunday: Austrian GP build-up
  • 2:00 PM: THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
  • 4:00 PM: Chequered Flag: Austrian GP reaction
  • 5:00 PM: Ted’s Notebook

Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.