Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, securing pole position for the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix. The McLaren driver dominated qualifying, outpacing his closest competitor, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, by over half a second. This significant margin marks the largest pole advantage seen throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season thus far.
Norris's pole position is a testament to his consistent speed and the McLaren team's ability to optimize their car for the Spielberg circuit. He has been in excellent form throughout the weekend, topping every session since the second practice. This pole position marks Norris's third of the year.
Charles Leclerc managed to split the two McLarens, securing second place on the grid. However, the Ferrari driver was unable to match Norris's pace, finishing a considerable 0.521 seconds behind. Oscar Piastri, Norris's teammate and championship leader, will start third, completing a strong showing for McLaren.
The qualifying session wasn't without drama. Pierre Gasly spun his Alpine at the final corner during Q3, causing yellow flags that disrupted the final laps for some drivers. Max Verstappen, who had to abort his final lap due to the yellow flags, expressed frustration as he qualified in seventh place.
Lewis Hamilton secured fourth position, indicating a promising weekend for Ferrari. George Russell finished fifth for Mercedes, while Liam Lawson delivered an impressive performance, securing sixth place for Racing Bulls. Gabriel Bortoleto of Sauber claimed eighth position, reaching Q3 for the first time in his rookie F1 season. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) rounded out the top 10.
Several drivers faced disappointment in qualifying. Fernando Alonso finished 11th for Aston Martin, while Alex Albon was 12th. Lance Stroll was eliminated in Q1 and will start in 16th. Carlos Sainz Jr. struggled with his Williams, describing it as "undriveable" and qualifying in 19th. Nico Hulkenberg will start at the back of the grid after qualifying in 20th. Yuki Tsunoda also had a difficult session, failing to advance from Q1 and qualifying in 18th.
The Red Bull Ring, located amidst the Styrian hills, is known for its combination of fast straights and challenging corners. The 4.326 km track has 10 corners and significant elevation changes, with a maximum gradient of 12% and a maximum decline of 9.3%. This layout often leads to close racing and overtaking opportunities. Turn 1 is known as an overtaking hotspot.
The race is scheduled to start at 2 pm on Sunday.
