Lando Norris leads Austrian GP final practice after a blistering late-session lap that put him ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri and title rival Max Verstappen. The 2025 Formula 1 season continues to excite, and this session was a clear sign that McLaren’s momentum is no fluke.
McLaren Turns Up the Heat at Red Bull Ring
Right from the start, the McLaren drivers looked dialed in. Norris began cautiously, but as the session progressed, he grew increasingly confident. His eventual benchmark of 1:04.324 wasn’t just fast , it sent a message.
Oscar Piastri came close, clocking in at 1:04.442, only 0.118s shy of his team-mate. The McLaren duo are looking strong ahead of qualifying, with both clearly comfortable on the Soft compound tyres.
Verstappen Holds Back… Then Strikes Late
Max Verstappen wasn’t in a rush early on. Running on Hard tyres, he still managed to stay near the top of the timesheets. However, it was his late run on Softs that really counted. The Dutchman pulled out a solid 1:04.534 lap , good enough for third, just 0.210s off Norris.
Still, Verstappen wasn’t entirely happy with the balance of his RB21. His complaints over the radio hinted at instability under throttle , not ideal heading into qualifying.
Power and Performance Rundown
The top speeds in FP3 highlight how close the field is. Norris’s 1:04.324 lap equated to a staggering 242.111 km/h average speed. Piastri wasn’t far behind, with 241.668 km/h. Verstappen’s Red Bull clocked 241.323 km/h on his best lap, even after floor adjustments.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton showed flashes of pace, with both drivers keeping within half a second of the McLarens. Mercedes’ George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli also looked sharp, making it an exciting blend of youth and experience.
Midfield Tightens as Qualifying Looms
Just outside the top 5, the midfield battle continued to boil. Lance Stroll impressed for Aston Martin, posting a 1:05.062 lap, while Yuki Tsunoda squeezed into the top 10 with a late flyer. Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson posted identical times, showing how razor-thin the margins are this season.
There’s genuine unpredictability in the middle of the pack. Every tenth counts, and qualifying could see some big names stumble if they don’t put together the perfect lap.
Late Surges and Costly Errors
Norris might’ve gone even faster had he not made a rare mistake at Turn 3. His over-ambition led him across the sausage kerb, forcing him to abort what looked like a lap even quicker than his best.
Despite the error, Norris retained his lead. Verstappen gave it one final shot but couldn’t beat the McLaren’s purple sectors. The Briton’s pace and consistency gave McLaren a significant psychological edge heading into qualifying.
Summary
Final practice for the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix ended with McLaren in control. Norris looked sharp, confident, and quick, with Piastri not far behind. Verstappen showed flashes of pace but may still be searching for the perfect setup. With such a tight field and unpredictable conditions expected, qualifying is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling sessions of the season.
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 7 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 8 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 9 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
| 10 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber |
| 11 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 12 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 13 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber |
| 14 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 15 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 16 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 17 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 18 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 19 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 20 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
Disclaimer: All timings and positions are based on official FIA practice results and may vary depending on future qualifying sessions and race developments.
Source: FIA
