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New York Times
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
Red Bull's Austria GP unraveling raises fresh questions
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA — The Austrian Grand Prix slipped through Red Bull's fingertips, its Sunday going from bad to worse despite bringing a minor upgrade to Max Verstappen's car. This wasn't just any race for the team. At the center of the track, nestled in the Styrian mountains, stands a massive bull with gold horns jumping through an arch — a physical reminder of the circuit's name: Red Bull Ring. Back in 2004, the late co-founder of the energy drink company, Dietrich Mateschitz, bought what was the A1 Ring and revamped the location, bringing Formula One back to Spielberg in 2014. Advertisement Red Bull has dominated this track in recent years. Verstappen has won five times at Red Bull Ring and has four pole positions, both of which are records at the track. Red Bull Racing is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Austria is home. And Sunday's race, where Verstappen didn't complete a full racing lap and Yuki Tsunoda finished two laps down, was 'a home race to forget,' team principal Christian Horner said, after the team ended the day point-less. Verstappen didn't make it past Turn 3 before his grand prix ended, at no fault of his own. And the stewards appeared to agree. The Dutchman entered the race knowing a podium finish would be hard to achieve from seventh on the grid. He was unable to set a final flying lap in qualifying after Pierre Gasly spun, triggering yellow flags and keeping Verstappen from being able to improve his Q3 time. Then came Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes rookie started ninth and darted out from behind Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson as the grid headed towards Turn 3. It was a move to avoid a collision, Antonelli told the stewards, and he 'released the brakes for a short period of time to do so.' But he ended up on the inside line, which had less grip, making it difficult for the teenager to decelerate in time for the corner. He locked up the rear brakes and collided with Verstappen, ending both of their days. The stewards found Antonelli 'fully at fault,' handing him a three-place grid drop for next weekend's British Grand Prix, and he owned his mistake. A post shared by FORMULA 1® (@f1) Verstappen confirmed the two of them had spoken, even beyond what was captured as the drivers walked off the track. With his first DNF since the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, he now faces a 61-point gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri with 13 race weekends to go. The pressure then fell on Tsunoda to fight his way into points after starting 18th, his third Q1 exit in the last five races but the closest lap time to Verstappen since the early-season driver swap. Advertisement Tsunoda told reporters after the race that the RB21 'feels amazing' in the first few laps. But then, 'the tire is just melting lap by lap, corner by corner. Whatever I do, it's melting every lap, and I'm feeling less grip lap by lap. In that situation, it's really hard to maintain the pace.' The Japanese driver said he tried different ways all weekend to address the issue, but nothing worked. He wouldn't call the car bad, but said he was still trying to figure out where he was going wrong. 'The pace itself was pretty poor as well,' Tsunoda said. 'I'm not sure I'm doing completely wrong, to be honest, but the pace data between the level I have to be in is massive.' While the race pace may have been lacking, Tsunoda didn't exactly help matters either, ending up in numerous battles with Franco Colapinto. They tangled at least once, Tsunoda making contact with the Alpine driver and sending him spinning. Both continued racing, but Tsunoda received a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision. He served the penalty on Lap 62 and finished last among those who completed the race (but officially P16 after three pit stops). 'Yuki had a horrible race,' Horner told reporters. Tsunoda took responsibility for the collision with Colapinto and apologized to the team in a post-race interview with the written media. Asked whether he had the full support of the team, he responded with one word: 'Yes.' Tsunoda's one-lap qualifying pace has improved, but his race pace is lacking, something he attributed to the tires not 'holding at all' and lacking grip. Red Bull has already done a driver swap once this season, replacing Lawson with Tsunoda after two grands prix. Horner was asked post-race if races like Austria made him reconsider the second car, given the performance gap between the two. Advertisement 'We'll look to see how we can support him, but there's a big delta between the two cars,' Horner said. The team principal did admit that internally they are asking why that gap exists and added that 'obviously the car has evolved over the years in a specific direction. But we'll see if we can help Yuki and rebuild his confidence in Silverstone.' Unlike in recent years of Red Bull dominance, the RB21 has been a struggle to drive at times this season. McLaren is now the team that's in a league of its own, seemingly untouchable in Austria, while Red Bull is left trying to figure out what it can do in the last year of the current regulations. 'I still believe that we have strength and depth in this team. Unfortunately, we haven't seen the performance come that we would like,' Horner said. 'But it's the same fundamental group of people that 18 months ago had designed a car that won every single grand prix but one. They didn't suddenly just become idiots overnight. 'So, you have to acknowledge the great job that McLaren are doing and congratulations to them. But, for us, it's just about working harder because everybody is working incredibly hard. 'It's just working smarter. And let's see over the next few races.' Teams will soon need to switch their focus solely to 2026, a move that Williams made before this season even began. With 13 races to go, Red Bull is up against the clock to unlock performance and improve its pace. 'We'll see if we can find it,' Verstappen said. The RB21's issues have carried over from last year, where Red Bull struggled to find the right balance. The hotter temperatures, as was the case in Austria, only exacerbate the tire issues as well. It remains to be seen how the floor upgrade will perform, as only Verstappen had it in Austria. However, with three races to go before the summer break, is it enough time to unlock something for the second half of the season? 'Is it enough to challenge McLaren? I'm not sure,' Verstappen told reporters. 'Probably not. But I also don't want to sound depressed.' (Top photos of Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen:, Jure Makeovec/AFP via Getty Images)
Powys County Times
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Lando Norris eager for British Grand Prix after closing title gap to 15 points
Lando Norris said he wants the British Grand Prix to come now after reigniting his world championship charge with a brilliant win over rival Oscar Piastri in Austria. Norris will head to his home race at Silverstone in a week's time a driver reborn after he came out on top of his thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel with McLaren team-mate Piastri in the Styrian mountains. After claiming the third win of his stop-start campaign, the Englishman has reduced the title deficit to Piastri to 15 points from 22. AUSTRIA IS PAPAYA! 🧡 #McLaren | #AustrianGP 🇦🇹 — McLaren (@McLarenF1) June 29, 2025 Max Verstappen is now 61 points off the title pace after he was taken out on the opening lap by Mercedes' teenager Kimi Antonelli. A crowd touching 150,000 is expected at Silverstone next weekend, while Norris will also have a dedicated area for his fans, the Landostand, at Stowe corner. But Norris said: 'For me, it is not more pressure. Of course, it is the place I want to win more than anywhere else. It puts a smile on my face when I wake up there every day, and it distracts me in a good way. 'There is pressure in every race and I cannot put myself under any more pressure than I do. So, it is something to look forward to, to enjoy every lap, enjoy the experience, and to have so many of my fans in my own grandstand cheering me on. 'I am very excited. I would want it to come now. But I need a good sleep first.' Norris' championship hopes were in tatters after the Canadian Grand Prix a fortnight ago following a collision with Piastri which the British driver said made him look like a fool. But Norris put his McLaren on pole by more than half-a-second here, and did not crumble under the pressure from Piastri amid their breathless ding-dong battle. 'It is certainly fulfilling for me and it gives me good confidence,' continued Norris, 25. 'I don't need to prove anything to anyone, only to me. It has been a good clean weekend. I have performed exactly as I wanted to do and needed to. 'But it doesn't come easily. I have not just turned up and things are better. I am working and doing a lot more away from the track than I used to with the team, on the simulator, and my own team in trying to improve everything I can. It is positive to see that paying off immediately. And it is a good step in the right direction. But I still want more and still need more so we will keep working.' Norris and Piastri traded places on lap 11 as they fought for the lead before the latter came within centimetres of crashing into his team-mate nine laps later when his lunge at turn four almost backfired. A warning to the Australian arrived from the McLaren pit-wall. Piastri subsequently apologised over the radio for the close shave. 'It was stressful for sure, and not the most comfortable position to be in,' admitted Norris. 'There were a lot of laps where I was looking in my mirrors. We both want to race hard and fair and it goes both ways. We have to put Montreal behind us and behind me for sure. It is something I wish didn't happen but it was nice we could push to the limit here. There were some close moments but nothing that would make (team principal) Andrea (Stella) or the pit wall sweat too much.'
Glasgow Times
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Lando Norris eager for British Grand Prix after closing title gap to 15 points
Norris will head to his home race at Silverstone in a week's time a driver reborn after he came out on top of his thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel with McLaren team-mate Piastri in the Styrian mountains. After claiming the third win of his stop-start campaign, the Englishman has reduced the title deficit to Piastri to 15 points from 22. Max Verstappen is now 61 points off the title pace after he was taken out on the opening lap by Mercedes' teenager Kimi Antonelli. A crowd touching 150,000 is expected at Silverstone next weekend, while Norris will also have a dedicated area for his fans, the Landostand, at Stowe corner. But Norris said: 'For me, it is not more pressure. Of course, it is the place I want to win more than anywhere else. It puts a smile on my face when I wake up there every day, and it distracts me in a good way. 'There is pressure in every race and I cannot put myself under any more pressure than I do. So, it is something to look forward to, to enjoy every lap, enjoy the experience, and to have so many of my fans in my own grandstand cheering me on. Lando Norris has reduced the title lead to 15 points (Darko Bandic/AP) 'I am very excited. I would want it to come now. But I need a good sleep first.' Norris' championship hopes were in tatters after the Canadian Grand Prix a fortnight ago following a collision with Piastri which the British driver said made him look like a fool. But Norris put his McLaren on pole by more than half-a-second here, and did not crumble under the pressure from Piastri amid their breathless ding-dong battle. 'It is certainly fulfilling for me and it gives me good confidence,' continued Norris, 25. 'I don't need to prove anything to anyone, only to me. It has been a good clean weekend. I have performed exactly as I wanted to do and needed to. 'But it doesn't come easily. I have not just turned up and things are better. I am working and doing a lot more away from the track than I used to with the team, on the simulator, and my own team in trying to improve everything I can. It is positive to see that paying off immediately. And it is a good step in the right direction. But I still want more and still need more so we will keep working.' Norris and Piastri traded places on lap 11 as they fought for the lead before the latter came within centimetres of crashing into his team-mate nine laps later when his lunge at turn four almost backfired. Norris held of the attention of Piastri (Darko Bandic/AP) A warning to the Australian arrived from the McLaren pit-wall. Piastri subsequently apologised over the radio for the close shave. 'It was stressful for sure, and not the most comfortable position to be in,' admitted Norris. 'There were a lot of laps where I was looking in my mirrors. We both want to race hard and fair and it goes both ways. We have to put Montreal behind us and behind me for sure. It is something I wish didn't happen but it was nice we could push to the limit here. There were some close moments but nothing that would make (team principal) Andrea (Stella) or the pit wall sweat too much.'
Glasgow Times
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Lando Norris triumphs in Austria to cut Oscar Piastri's advantage in title race
Norris kept his nerve in a thrilling duel with Oscar Piastri to take his third triumph of the season, reducing the title deficit to his team-mate to 15 points from 22. A fortnight after Norris ran into the back of Piastri in Canada, the two McLaren men came within centimetres of another collision on lap 20 of 70. LANDO NORRIS WINS THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX! — McLaren (@McLarenF1) June 29, 2025 Piastri momentarily lost control of his car as he attempted a lunge at turn four, before he was warned not to attempt a similar move – a clear sign McLaren had called off the fight. Norris took the chequered flag 2.7 seconds clear of Piastri, with Charles Leclerc finishing third. Lewis Hamilton was fourth with the seven-time world champion's wait for a first podium in Ferrari colours extending to his home race at Silverstone next weekend. Max Verstappen's race lasted three corners after he was taken out by Mercedes teenager Kimi Antonelli. The first-lap retirement leaves him 61 points off the championship pace. George Russell took fifth for Mercedes. Norris departed Montreal with his championship hopes hanging in the balance after a collision with Piastri which the British driver said made him look like a fool. But Norris has been a driver reborn here in the Styrian mountains, securing an emphatic pole position before holding off Piastri with a statement victory. Respect between these two after an unfortunate collision on Lap 1 in Austria 🤝#F1 || #AustrianGP 🇦🇹 — Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) June 29, 2025 Norris nailed his getaway to keep Leclerc behind on the run 200-metre charge to turn one with Piastri then launching his McLaren around the outside of the Ferrari and into second place, providing him with clear sight of his team-mate. Verstappen had called his car 'undriveable' in qualifying on his way to taking a lowly seventh grid spot. And his torrid weekend was over on the first lap when Antonelli arrived like a torpedo at the third corner to T-bone the four-time world champion. 'I'm out, got hit, like crazy,' Verstappen said. 'F****** idiots.' In the other Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda was penalised for crunching Franco Colapinto and would finish 16th and last. A desperate weekend for Red Bull at their home event. Back to the front, and the safety car – released following the first-lap drama – came in at the end of lap three. For the next 16 laps, Norris would never be more than a second clear of Piastri. Oscar Piastri congratulates Norris (Darko Bandic/AP) And on the 11th lap, Piastri made the first move when he overtook Norris on the entry to turn three. Norris did not challenge knowing that a clean exit would provide him with a slingshot on the downhill drag to the next corner, and his wily decision worked when he got his man back on the inside of the right-hander. Clean racing from both, and the gap remained at half a second. Norris then ran wide on the exit of the final bend on lap 15 allowing Piastri a chance to close, but the Australian resisted a challenge. It was nip-and-tuck before Piastri attempted a banzai dive at turn four on lap 20. Piastri locked his front-right tyre and came agonisingly close to sliding into Norris' car. Lewis Hamilton's wait for a first podium in Ferrari colours continued (Darko Bandic/AP) McLaren promptly hauled in Norris for his first of two tyre changes. Piastri, perhaps as punishment, was left out on track with a flat-spotted tyre for four additional laps and was losing time – a signal that McLaren had seen enough. By the time Piastri emerged from his stop, Norris was six seconds up the road. 'The feedback from the pit-wall was that the move into turn four was too marginal and we can't do that again,' Piastri was told by his race engineer, Tom Stallard. Norris came in for his second stop with 18 laps remaining with a three-second lead. Piastri would stop the next time around and was then forced to take to the grass as he attempted to lap Colapinto in 14th. Piastri continued his charge and with 10 laps to go was back within two seconds. 'I need some pace,' Norris said. 'Please help.' But Piastri would not get a sniff as Norris took the chequered flag for his seventh career win – a perfect tonic as a pre-cursor to next weekend's British Grand Prix. 'We had a great battle, that's for sure,' Norris said. 'It was a lot of fun, a lot of stress, but a nice battle. It was tricky, hot and tiring, but the perfect result as a team.' Piastri said on the radio: 'Sorry for my move at turn four, that was my bad.' He added: 'I tried my absolute best and I probably could have done a better job when I momentarily got ahead. It was a bit on the edge, and I might have pushed a bit too far, but it was a good race and that is what we are here to do, to race each other and fight for wins.'
South Wales Guardian
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Guardian
Lando Norris eager for British Grand Prix after closing title gap to 15 points
Norris will head to his home race at Silverstone in a week's time a driver reborn after he came out on top of his thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel with McLaren team-mate Piastri in the Styrian mountains. After claiming the third win of his stop-start campaign, the Englishman has reduced the title deficit to Piastri to 15 points from 22. AUSTRIA IS PAPAYA! 🧡#McLaren | #AustrianGP 🇦🇹 — McLaren (@McLarenF1) June 29, 2025 Max Verstappen is now 61 points off the title pace after he was taken out on the opening lap by Mercedes' teenager Kimi Antonelli. A crowd touching 150,000 is expected at Silverstone next weekend, while Norris will also have a dedicated area for his fans, the Landostand, at Stowe corner. But Norris said: 'For me, it is not more pressure. Of course, it is the place I want to win more than anywhere else. It puts a smile on my face when I wake up there every day, and it distracts me in a good way. 'There is pressure in every race and I cannot put myself under any more pressure than I do. So, it is something to look forward to, to enjoy every lap, enjoy the experience, and to have so many of my fans in my own grandstand cheering me on. 'I am very excited. I would want it to come now. But I need a good sleep first.' Norris' championship hopes were in tatters after the Canadian Grand Prix a fortnight ago following a collision with Piastri which the British driver said made him look like a fool. But Norris put his McLaren on pole by more than half-a-second here, and did not crumble under the pressure from Piastri amid their breathless ding-dong battle. 'It is certainly fulfilling for me and it gives me good confidence,' continued Norris, 25. 'I don't need to prove anything to anyone, only to me. It has been a good clean weekend. I have performed exactly as I wanted to do and needed to. 'But it doesn't come easily. I have not just turned up and things are better. I am working and doing a lot more away from the track than I used to with the team, on the simulator, and my own team in trying to improve everything I can. It is positive to see that paying off immediately. And it is a good step in the right direction. But I still want more and still need more so we will keep working.' Norris and Piastri traded places on lap 11 as they fought for the lead before the latter came within centimetres of crashing into his team-mate nine laps later when his lunge at turn four almost backfired. A warning to the Australian arrived from the McLaren pit-wall. Piastri subsequently apologised over the radio for the close shave. 'It was stressful for sure, and not the most comfortable position to be in,' admitted Norris. 'There were a lot of laps where I was looking in my mirrors. We both want to race hard and fair and it goes both ways. We have to put Montreal behind us and behind me for sure. It is something I wish didn't happen but it was nice we could push to the limit here. There were some close moments but nothing that would make (team principal) Andrea (Stella) or the pit wall sweat too much.'
