Austrian Grand Prix Preview: Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen all aiming for success at Red Bull Ring

By Samuel OniUpdated June 26, 2025, 8:47 am ET

George Russell took the race victory for his Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team at the Canadian Grand Prix almost two weeks ago, ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The Briton was the first non-Red Bull or McLaren driver to claim a race win so far this season.

The Montreal race delivered nothing but great on-track action with overtakes and drama. However, the biggest talking point of that race came when McLaren’s Lando Norris, driving in fifth place, collided with his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri as he made an unsuccessful attempt to overtake him on Lap 67, ending his race weekend.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 15: Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren walks away from his damaged car after a crash during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. | Photo: (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Nearly two weeks on from the events in Canada, the European tour returns with the iconic Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix. Despite being one of the shortest race tracks on the calendar in terms of distance, Austria is sure to bring excitement, especially with the Drivers' Championship currently led by McLaren’s Piastri with 198 points.

Norris, who currently sits second in the standings, 22 points behind his teammate, will hope to have a better race as he continues his hunt for a first-ever world title.

The track

The race is starting during the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria, on June 30, 2024. | Photo: (Photo by Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images) — The race is starting during the Formula 1 Qatar Airways **Austrian Grand Prix** in Spielberg, Austria, on June 30, 2024. | Photo: (Photo by Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Originally known as the Österreichring, the Red Bull Ring held its first F1 race in 1970. It hosted the Austrian Grand Prix every year until 1987. After Red Bull bought the circuit in 2011, the track returned to the F1 calendar in 2014.

The first-ever Austrian Grand Prix race was won by Belgian F1 driver Jacky Ickx in 1970. In 1996, the A-1 Ring, as previously known at that time, was opened. One year later, F1 raced on the track as Canadian driver Jacques Villieneue won that season.

The Red Bull Ring, although a relatively short track for cars, is known for its great overtaking opportunities at Turns three and four, where the elevated hill is situated.

It is a 71-lap track that consists of just 10 corners with three DRS zones, and a total length of 2.683 miles.

The lap record holder at the Red Bull Ring belongs to Carlos Sainz. The Spanish driver recorded a time of 1:05.619 in 2020.

Mercedes’ Russell won last year’s race in 2024. Four-time champion Verstappen was victorious in 2023. The Dutchman, who is also the defending champion, has four race victories at the Austrian track, more than any other driver.

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA - JUNE 30: Race winner George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 30, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. | Photo: (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) — SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA - JUNE 30: Race winner **George Russell** of Great Britain and Mercedes celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red **Bull Ring** on June 30, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. | Photo: (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

What to watch out for

It has been an exciting week for Formula 1 with the new film, F1 The Movie, released during its European premiere on Wednesday, featuring American star Brad Pitt.

The McLaren pair Norris and Piastri are expected to continue their on-track battle in Austria this weekend following their collision in Canada.

Separated by just 22 points at the top of the standings, both Piastri and Norris will have victory on their minds, but the question remains if they can remain civil on the Red Bull Ring track. Defending champion Verstappen is also in the mix with Red Bull as he seeks his first win since Suzuka in April.

IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 18: Race winner Dutch and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (in blue) has a tough Championship battle ahead of him against the McLaren pair of Lando Norris (left) of Great Britain and Oscar Piastri (right) of Australia. All three drivers standing on the podium at the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari on May 18, 2025 in Imola, Italy. | Photo: (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) — IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 18: Race winner Dutch and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (in blue) has a tough Championship battle ahead of him against the McLaren pair of Lando Norris (left) of Great Britain and **Oscar Piastri** (right) of Australia. All three drivers standing on the podium at the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari on May 18, 2025 in Imola, Italy. | Photo: (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

The 27-year-old, who sits third in the standings with 155 points, still has the looming threat of a race ban this weekend.

The four-time champion currently has 11 points on his licence, and any on-track troubles will likely lead to a race ban. Kevin Magnussen was the last driver to be handed 12 penalty points on his licence and a suspension in 2024 at the Italian Grand Prix.

Mercedes driver Russell, on 136 points, will fancy his chances of victory after his success in Canada. The 27-year-old has nine Top 10 race finishes this season.

Ferrari are still looking for their first win of the season as a team and will hope for a better performance in Austria. Charles Leclerc has been the more successful driver this season, with three podiums in Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Monaco.

Meanwhile, seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, in his debut season for his new team, has struggled to find good results in his car. The 40-year-old’s best result was a fourth-place finish in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.