11 Highlights from the Austrian Grand Prix You Can’t Afford to Miss

Saajan JogiaJune 30, 2025

8 minutes read

The 2025 Austrian Grand Prix was a weekend filled with high drama and unexpected turns that left fans and teams on the edge of their seats. From chaotic qualifying sessions to unpredictable race incidents, every moment of the event promised excitement and tension. As the championship battle intensifies, the Red Bull Ring became the stage for decisive performances and critical turning points for some of the season’s strongest contenders.

Table of Contents

11. Qualifying Drama: Gasly Spin and Hamilton Grass Fire

Qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix delivered chaos: Pierre Gasly spun at the final corner, disrupting Q3, while Lewis Hamilton’s off-track excursion sparked a grass fire during Q2, prompting a red flag. Marshals quickly doused flames, ensuring safe resumption between sessions.

10. Red Bull Home Disappointment as Pace Falters

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 28: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202506280307 // Usage for editorial use only //

Red Bull’s home Austrian GP was marred by Max Verstappen’s early exit due to an accident with Andrea Kimi Antonelli. This has significantly impacted their championship hopes, with Helmut Marko suggesting the title fight may be over unless they can quickly improve their performance.

9. McLaren Dominates Qualifying with Norris on Pole

Lando Norris performs during the FIA Formula1 World Championship at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria on June 28, 2025 // Philip Platzer / Red Bull Ring // SI202506280285 // Usage for editorial use only //

Lando Norris delivered a stellar performance to secure pole position at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, clocking a 1:03.971 around the Red Bull Ring. McLaren’s strength was evident with Oscar Piastri close behind in third, marking another powerful qualifying session. Norris’s rapid lap underscored McLaren’s current form and championship ambitions.

8. Bortoleto Scores First Points of the Season for Kick Sauber

2023 Formula 3 Champion — Source: https://www.gabrielbortoleto.com.br

Gabriel Bortoleto delivered a breakthrough at the Austrian Grand Prix, securing his first-ever Formula 1 points with an eighth-place finish for Kick Sauber. The rookie impressed with decisive strategy and consistent pace, helping the team achieve its first double-points finish since 2023 and strengthening its position in the midfield battle.

7. Sainz Unable to Start After Pit Lane Brakes Fire

Carlos Sainz’s Austrian Grand Prix ended before it began after his Williams suffered a dramatic brake fire. Stuck on the grid with a brake issue, Sainz limped to the pit lane, but his rear brakes ignited in flames, forcing him to retire on the spot—his third career DNS.

6. Williams Suffers Double Retirement Due to Mechanical Issues

Williams endured a nightmare weekend at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, with both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz forced to retire due to separate mechanical failures. Albon’s retirement, his third in a row, mirrored an earlier issue in Canada, while Sainz’s race ended after a dramatic brake fire. The team is now under pressure to resolve persistent reliability problems before Silverstone.

5. Antonelli Penalized for Race Incident with Verstappen

MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 15: Third placed Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Second placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talk in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202506150815 // Usage for editorial use only //

On the opening lap, rookie Kimi Antonelli locked his rear brakes at Turn 3 and collided with Max Verstappen, forcing both out of the Austrian Grand Prix. Stewards found Antonelli fully at fault, issuing him a three-place grid penalty for the British GP and two penalty points on his license.

4. Verstappen Out on Lap 1 After Antonelli Collision

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 28: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Andy Hone/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202506280229 // Usage for editorial use only //

Max Verstappen’s race ended abruptly on lap 1 following a collision with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli at Turn 3. Antonelli, just 18, lost control after locking his rear brakes and struck Verstappen’s Red Bull, forcing both drivers to retire. Stewards deemed Antonelli fully at fault, handing him a three-place grid penalty for Silverstone.

3. Leclerc Rounds Out the Podium for Ferrari

Charles Leclerc secured third place at the Austrian Grand Prix, marking his fourth podium of the 2025 season for Ferrari. Despite trailing nearly 20 seconds behind the McLaren duo, Leclerc praised recent upgrades but noted persistent car limitations required “lift and coast” management, impacting Ferrari’s true race potential.

2. Piastri Leads Mid-Race, But Norris Strikes Back for McLaren 1-2

Oscar Piastri briefly led the race after an aggressive move on Lando Norris, signaling his intent to challenge for victory. However, Norris remained composed, reclaimed the top spot, and secured a commanding McLaren 1-2 finish. Their intense yet respectful on-track battle highlighted McLaren’s newfound dominance in Austria.

1. Norris Secures Dramatic Victory Over Piastri at Red Bull Ring

Lando Norris (Alternative Estimate) - $20 million — Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; McLaren Formula 1 Team driver Lando Norris (4) of Team Great Britain walks into the track before the Sprint Race in the 2024 Formula One US Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Lando Norris claimed his third win of the season at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, fending off relentless pressure from McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. Their intense wheel-to-wheel battle thrilled fans as Norris narrowed Piastri’s championship lead to just 15 points, igniting the title race after 11 rounds.

Conclusion:

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 28: A sea of fans wearing orange in support of Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Steven Tee/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202506280531 // Usage for editorial use only //

The Austrian Grand Prix delivered a mixture of triumph and turmoil, pushing teams and drivers to the limits and reshuffling the championship narrative once again. With McLaren’s impressive show of strength, Red Bull’s early heartbreak, and standout performances from rising stars, the race at the Red Bull Ring has paved the way for a thrilling second half of the 2025 season. As teams prepare for the challenges ahead, fans can eagerly anticipate more thrilling battles and dramatic moments on the road to crowning the next Formula 1 champion.