Norris Holds Off Piastri for Thrilling Win at Austrian Grand Prix

Norris Holds Off Piastri for Thrilling Win at Austrian Grand Prix

Lando Norris claimed his third victory of the season with a masterful defensive drive at the Austrian Grand Prix, fending off McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in a race-long battle that delivered a commanding one-two for the team.

The result closes the championship gap between Norris and Piastri to 15 points, setting up a fierce showdown at the British Grand Prix next weekend.

McLaren Masterclass in Spielberg

The McLarens were in a league of their own at the Red Bull Ring, finishing comfortably ahead of the field. Charles Leclerc took third for Ferrari, 17 seconds adrift, with Lewis Hamilton fourth, a further nine seconds behind.

George Russell came home fifth for Mercedes, while Max Verstappen’s title challenge took a hit after an opening-lap collision with Kimi Antonelli. The Italian rookie was handed a three-place grid penalty for next week’s race at Silverstone.

A Battle on the Edge

Piastri passed Leclerc at Turn 1 and immediately applied pressure to Norris, who had taken pole. The pair went wheel-to-wheel on several occasions, including a hair-raising sequence at Turns 3 and 4, where Piastri locked up but avoided contact.

After the first round of stops, Norris managed to build a buffer, but the Australian closed the gap again after the final pit cycle, reducing a four-second deficit to under two seconds.

With six laps remaining, Franco Colapinto dangerously edged Piastri onto the grass, earning a five-second penalty. Despite slight front-wing damage, Norris held firm and crossed the line just ahead of his team-mate.

“A lot of fun and stress,” Norris said. “It was a perfect result for the team.”

Piastri added:

“I tried my absolute best… Probably pushed the limit a bit far, but that’s what we’re here to do – race and fight for wins.”

Midfield Highlights

• Hamilton and Leclerc had quiet but solid runs in P3 and P4.

• Russell was lonely in fifth.

• Liam Lawson held off Fernando Alonso for sixth after a race-long duel, with Gabriel Bortoleto pressuring both late on.

• Alonso repassed Bortoleto with two laps to go using DRS and held P7 thanks to backmarker traffic.

• Bortoleto secured his first-ever F1 points in eighth and embraced his mentor Alonso after the race.

Final Points Positions:

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

5. George Russell (Mercedes)

6. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

7. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

8. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)

9. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)

10. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

Tsunoda & Verstappen Suffer in Red Bull Territory

Yuki Tsunoda endured a nightmare race, finishing last after receiving a 10-second penalty for colliding with Colapinto. On a weekend where Red Bull hoped to shine at home, both their lead drivers left without points – a rare and bruising blow for the team.

What’s Next?

All eyes turn to Silverstone as Norris and Piastri resume their championship fight on Norris’ home soil at the British Grand Prix next weekend.