Norris wins under pressure and McLaren complete one-two

Norris wins under pressure and McLaren complete one-two: Analysis of the Austrian Grand Prix, brought to you by Bahrain International Circuit

Ahead of the race weekend in Austria, Lando Norris admitted that the post-Canada debrief was “not the most joyful” conversation. Norris crashed into Piastri in the closing laps and whilst he admitted fault immediately, the simple fact was that he had broken the so-called Papaya rules, which dictates the driving standards expected when McLaren teammates are racing each other. Whilst they remain free to race for the time being, there will be little room for further incident in the fight for the championship.

Meanwhile at Ferrari, despite the arrival of new upgrades for this weekend to the floor and diffuser, expectations were still moderate. The Scuderia remains winless this season, with Leclerc managing three podiums with Hamilton yet to appear in the top three. In interviews ahead of the race, there was no doubt that both drivers have the passion for success, but acknowledge that, whist they have taken some forward steps this season, McLaren in particular have made giant leaps in comparison.

Despite that, there was some room for hope as Leclerc managed to qualify in second, with Hamilton just further back in fourth. It suggested that the upgrades had delivered some performance improvement. What will have worried Ferrari is that they were over half a second behind Lando Norris who stormed to pole position. For Norris, it was the perfect answer after last weekend, with Piastri only managing third after his final lap was ruined by an ill-timed yellow flag. The same yellow flag hit Verstappen even harder as he would only start seventh on the grid. George Russell and Liam Lawson were the other two drivers to make the top seven, which Bortoleto surprised everyone in his Sauber to complete the top eight.

As the race got underway, Norris stared well, leading into the first corner. Piastri came from third and took Leclerc into turn 1. Further back, Antonelli locked up and went into the back of Verstappen, which caused a safety can and both cars to retire from the race.

This left both McLaren cars up front and from the very start of there was no doubt about either drivers’ commitment. Both drivers were side by side at times, with Piastri even taking a brief moment in the lead. It was exciting but clean racing and firmly within the team rules.

The first round of stops started on lap 19 in what was expected to be a two-stop race. Russell came in first from fifth. Norris came in the following lap from the lead. Piastri didn’t immediately respond, coming in on lap 24, emerging six seconds behind Norris. Leclerc came in the following lap, with Hamilton the lap after. By half distance, Norris led Piastri by six seconds, with Leclerc and Hamilton both over ten seconds back, with Russell fifth. The big surprise was the two Sauber cars, with Bortoletto sixth and Hulkenberg seventh.

The second stops started on lap 50, with Leclerc in first. Hamilton followed on the next lap and Norris on lap 52, with Piastri just a lap later. As the final stint began, it became a straight for victory for the last 20 laps between the two McLarens, with Norris commanding a four second lead. Further back, the two Ferraris were looking solid in third and fourth but a full 15 seconds behind. George Russell was sitting fifth.

By lap 63, that gap between Norris and Piastri had fallen under two seconds. The key for Norris was to keep Piastri away from the critical one second DRS. He managed that and earned a much-needed victory. As well as atoning for Canada and restoring a huge amount of confidence for Norris, it reduced the gap to Piastri in the championship to 15 points. Much relief for the British driver will have ensued, with somewhat muted celebrations by his standards.

Ferrari will have been delighted their third and fourth place, with the new upgrade giving more optimism for the rest of the season. Russell finished fifth, with Lawson an impressive sixth and Alonso seventh. Sauber completed a hugely impressive weekend, with Bortoletto eighth and Hulkenberg ninth. Ocon completed the top ten.

Ultimately, this race will be remembered for an impressive Norris comeback and a dominant McLaren first and second. F1 is straight back to action this weekend, with perhaps the most historic race on the calendar, Silverstone.