The 2025 F1 Austrian GP qualifying session didn’t just crown Lando Norris—it delivered chaos, pace, and pure racing drama. With flames, spins, and surprise exits, this was the kind of session that Formula 1 fans won’t forget any time soon.
Norris Claims Pole at 2025 F1 Austrian GP Qualifying
Lando Norris was in devastating form at the Red Bull Ring. His lap of 1:03.971 was over half a second faster than Charles Leclerc’s best, with Oscar Piastri rounding out the top three.
The McLaren driver looked sharp from the start, building confidence through each run. And when it mattered most, he unleashed a stunning flyer to seal pole position under pressure.
Leclerc and Piastri Round Out the Top Three
Charles Leclerc kept the pressure on throughout but couldn’t match Norris’ final run. Oscar Piastri, despite an earlier error, secured third.
The top trio showed strong pace all weekend, but in qualifying, it was McLaren’s day. Their one-lap speed on the soft tyres looked unmatched as both drivers delivered clean laps under intense pressure.
Verstappen Misses Out After Gasly Spin
Max Verstappen’s weekend took a tough hit. Red Bull’s decision to save a fresh set of Softs backfired. A late spin from Pierre Gasly caused double yellows, ruining Verstappen’s final attempt.
The Dutch driver could do no better than seventh, just behind Mercedes’ George Russell and ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto’s impressive Sauber.
Q1 and Q2 Bring Fire and Surprises
Qualifying kicked off with Max Verstappen and the McLarens trading early blows. Norris stole the top spot in Q1, while Liam Lawson surprised by going third.
In Q2, the session was stopped due to a grass fire near the start-finish line. Once resumed, Norris again topped the timing sheets, with Piastri close behind. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton also advanced, while Fernando Alonso and Alex Albon missed the cut.
Big Names Exit Early
Carlos Sainz’s session ended in Q1, with the Spaniard insisting something was broken on his Williams. Yuki Tsunoda and Nico Hülkenberg also fell short, while Lance Stroll just missed out in 16th.
Q2 brought more pain for Isack Hadjar and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, while Haas rookie Ollie Bearman also exited without a Q3 appearance.
Final Shootout Decided by Drama
Q3 looked set for a fierce final run, but Pierre Gasly’s spin brought out the yellows at the worst moment. Piastri, first on the scene, had to lift.
Verstappen followed but couldn’t use DRS, ending his shot at pole. The chaos allowed Norris to shine, posting his fastest lap right before the drama unfolded.
Summary
From fire delays to flying laps and yellow-flag heartbreaks, the 2025 F1 Austrian GP qualifying had it all. Lando Norris emerged as the fastest man on track, while Verstappen will have to charge through the field on race day. McLaren has sent a serious message with their qualifying pace—now all eyes turn to Sunday.
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 5 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 6 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 7 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 8 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber |
| 9 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 11 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 12 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 13 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 14 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 15 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 16 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 17 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 18 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
| 19 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 20 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber |
Disclaimer: Results and performances referenced are subject to official FIA confirmation and race-day developments.
