Lando Norris fended off intense pressure from McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to win the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, cutting into the Australian’s Formula 1 Championship lead and reigniting his own title hopes.
The two McLaren drivers battled from the start, with Piastri briefly snatching the lead before Norris reclaimed the position. A bold move from Piastri later in the race nearly led to a collision, but Norris held firm to claim victory and 25 crucial points.
Despite the result, Piastri remains atop the Drivers’ Championship with 216 points, having secured five race wins this season, starting with his second career victory at the Chinese Grand Prix. Norris now trails by just 15 points, sitting on 201.
The title fight is now firmly between the McLaren teammates, especially after reigning champion Max Verstappen retired on the opening lap following contact from Kimi Antonelli. Verstappen stays third in the standings with 155 points, now 61 adrift of the leader.
Charles Leclerc finished third, securing his third podium in four races for Ferrari. His teammate Lewis Hamilton took fourth, while George Russell – winner in Canada – came home fifth for Mercedes. Liam Lawson recorded his best result of the season, finishing sixth for Racing Bulls.
Fernando Alonso held off Gabriel Bortoleto to finish seventh for Aston Martin. Nico Hulkenberg added more points for Kick Sauber in ninth, with Esteban Ocon completing the top ten for Haas.
In the overall standings, Russell sits fourth with 146 points, just nine behind Verstappen. Leclerc is fifth with 119, followed by Hamilton in sixth with 91.
Formula 1 Drivers’ Standings (After Austrian GP – 29 June)
- Oscar Piastri (AUS, McLaren) – 216 pts
- Lando Norris (GBR, McLaren) – 201 pts
- Max Verstappen (NED, Red Bull Racing) – 155 pts
- George Russell (GBR, Mercedes) – 146 pts
- Charles Leclerc (MON, Ferrari) – 119 pts
- Lewis Hamilton (GBR, Ferrari) – 91 pts
- Kimi Antonelli (ITA, Mercedes) – 63 pts
- Alexander Albon (THA, Williams) – 42 pts
- Esteban Ocon (FRA, Haas) – 23 pts
- Nico Hulkenberg (GER, Kick Sauber) – 22 pts
- Isack Hadjar (FRA, Racing Bulls) – 21 pts
- Lance Stroll (CAN, Aston Martin) – 14 pts
- Fernando Alonso (ESP, Aston Martin) – 14 pts
- Carlos Sainz (ESP, Williams) – 13 pts
- Liam Lawson (NZL, Racing Bulls) – 12 pts
- Pierre Gasly (FRA, Alpine) – 11 pts
- Yuki Tsunoda (JPN, Red Bull Racing) – 10 pts
- Oliver Bearman (GBR, Haas) – 6 pts
- Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA, Kick Sauber) – 4 pts
- Franco Colapinto (ARG, Alpine) – 0 pts
- Jack Doohan (AUS, Alpine) – 0 pts
Constructors’ Championship
- McLaren – 417 pts
- Ferrari – 210 pts
- Mercedes – 209 pts
- Red Bull Racing – 162 pts
- Williams – 55 pts
- Racing Bulls – 36 pts
- Haas – 29 pts
- Aston Martin – 28 pts
- Kick Sauber – 26 pts
- Alpine – 11 pts
McLaren continues to lead the Constructors’ Championship with a commanding 417 points.