Lando Norris reignites F1 title hopes in do-or-die Austrian Grand Prix weekend as Max Verstappen endures nightmare
NOR BLIMEY Lando Norris reignites F1 title hopes in do-or-die Austrian Grand Prix weekend as Max Verstappen endures nightmare
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LANDO NORRIS reignited his title hopes as he bagged pole position in a sizzling qualifying session at the Austrian Grand Prix.
It feels like do or die for Norris in the title race this weekend, after losing huge ground to his teammate Oscar Piastri in Canada last time out.
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Lando Norris took a dominant pole position at the Austrian Grand Prix
Credit: Getty
His crash into the back of Piastri left him out of the race with three laps to go and the Aussie driver, who finished fourth, increased his lead to the Brit in the championship by 22 points, with Verstappen 21 adrift of Norris in third.
Verstappen suffered a nightmare afternoon in his home race, finishing in seventh with Red Bull out-qualified by their junior team as Liam Lawson came sixth.
In fairness to the four-time world champ, a yellow flag for Pierre Gasly scuppered Verstappen's final lap in the dying moments.
Charles Leclerc separated the two McLarens with a second-place result ahead of Piastri in third as Lewis Hamilton claimed fourth.
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There was a delay in Q2 due to a red flag after Ferrari's Hamilton ran onto the gravel and set fire to a patch of grass at turn 10.
Russell survived the first session by the skin of his teeth as he squeezed through in 11th after a big error in the middle sector before ending up in fifth overall.
It was a disaster for Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull's home race as he suffered another early exit in Q1 in 18th.
The Japanese driver has been 18th or lower in four of the last five qualifyings, which is a worrying trend.
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His 18th result is also the WORST qualifying position in the history of Red Bull on their home turf.
It was an afternoon to forget for ex-Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz who was axed all the way back in 19th, blasting his 'undriveable' car.
Lewis Hamilton gives lucky F1 rival a lift home on his private jet
The Spanish Williams driver has now racked up three consecutive Q1 exits this season.
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