All eyes on Norris
All eyes shall be on Lando Norris at this weekend’s F1 Austrian Grand Prix. Norris failed to complete the final race in Canada after operating into the again of his teammate on Lap 67.
As soon as once more, Norris’ tempo couldn’t be questioned – he regarded just like the quickest driver on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Nonetheless, his execution was as soon as once more missing.
Heading into qualifying, Norris was the person to beat, dominating apply. A mistake on his first run in Q3 put him on the again foot.
From that second onwards, Norris appeared rattled by his mistake within the last chicane and required teaching over group radio. It was uncommon to listen to his race engineer, Will Joseph, reminding him of his “brake references.”
Norris is now 22 factors behind Oscar Piastri within the title race and desperately wants a clean weekend. The Pink Bull Ring is one in all Norris’ finest circuits.
He completed on the rostrum for the primary time in his F1 profession again in 2020, setting the quickest lap of the race to complete forward of Lewis Hamilton, who had a five-second time penalty. Norris was lightning fast in 2021, practically taking pole forward of Max Verstappen.
Equally, in 2024, Norris in all probability ought to have received the race had it not been for Verstappen’s overly aggressive defensive techniques, which put the McLaren driver out of the race. Norris should put collectively a robust weekend to get his F1 title bid again on monitor.
Can Verstappen preserve out of hassle once more?
Verstappen is one penalty level away from selecting up a one-race ban. The four-time world champion saved it clear final day trip in Canada.
Austria is the ultimate weekend the place he must preserve out of hassle. Forward of the subsequent race at Silverstone, two penalty factors will expire on his licence, giving him some leeway for the rest of the European leg of the marketing campaign.
Regardless, Verstappen hasn’t seemed to be anxious about being on the point of a race ban, shrugging off questions constantly throughout his varied media commitments in Montreal.
Will Ferrari’s points proceed?
Ferrari’s troublesome 2025 F1 season continued on the Canadian GP. Hamilton’s stable qualifying was ruined by automobile injury within the race after he ran over a groundhog.
Lewis Hamilton
Charles Leclerc as soon as once more confirmed respectable race tempo and was operating simply 4 seconds behind Norris because the pair ran first and second within the center a part of the race whereas they waited to do their second cease.
Leclerc’s tempo when he switched onto the medium tyre was nowhere. Ferrari’s basic lack of tempo is their major drawback, however each drivers are having to “elevate and coast” throughout races.
An especially slim working window and points with the rear of the automobile imply Ferrari’s tempo is not constant – even over a race distance. Whether or not their repair is launched this weekend or at Silverstone stays to be seen.
Mercedes to repeat Canada?
Mercedes stormed to their first win of the season final day trip in Canada. George Russell managed the race in Montreal from pole place to take his first F1 win since Las Vegas final yr.
It was a welcome return to kind for Mercedes, which noticed Kimi Antonelli safe his maiden F1 podium end. Mercedes are adamant that their upturn in kind in Canada was as a result of monitor traits, moderately than them being a real McLaren beater.
Austria will present a special check with hotter monitor temperatures and a wider vary of corners to see the true potential of the W16.
Colapinto beneath stress?
The way forward for Franco Colapinto stays unsure. When he was introduced as Jack Doohan’s substitute following the Miami Grand Prix, Alpine introduced that the Argentine was on a five-race deal.
This weekend is Colapinto’s fifth race for Alpine, so might he get replaced at Silverstone? Alpine govt director Flavio Briatore hasn’t hinted that Colapinto shall be changed for the subsequent race on the British Grand Prix.
Nonetheless, in comparison with his starring drives for Williams, Colapinto’s Alpine stint has been considerably underwhelming. You can also make the argument that Doohan wasn’t doing any worse than Colapinto earlier than being changed.
To his credit score, Canada was a step ahead for Colapinto as he out-performed teammate Pierre Gasly, whereas in Barcelona, a technical subject curtailed his weekend in qualifying.
It is one to look at.
