Austrian GP, ​​Verstappen in pole position after winning the sprint race

“On fire”. Here’s Max again. Did he ever leave? Verstappen go back to pole position after failing three times in a row. For what it’s worth, considering that except in Monte Carlo when Leclerc started from the pole and won, he won the last two GPs despite starting (a little) behind. At home, in the ups and downs ofAustriahe definitely rises to the top of the group chasing him and puts the hierarchies on the track back in order Red Bull: gives four tenths to McLaren Of Lando Norris. The one of Oscar Plateswho was behind him in the sprint race, is demoted from 3rd to 7th place because the Australian exceeds the track limits. Third is the Mercedes Of George Russellmore than 5 tenths.

Distant Ferraris

The first Ferrari is fourth with Carlos Sainz to over 5 tenths. A small but not enough reaction for Maranello after the bad mini qualifying and an insufficient 100 km with the Spaniard 5th and Charles Leclerc 7th. The Monegasque, protagonist of a mess with the anti-stall and the engine off in the sprint qualifications that prevented him from setting a time, asked for a change of set up after the mini race. He wanted to take a risk, but it didn’t work: in the last attempt while he was improving, he lost his trajectory and went into the meadows. He finished 6th, gaining a position thanks to Piastri’s demotion. Fred Vasseur, very disappointed after Friday, sees “a small step forward, even if we wanted to start further up the grid. Charles? He crashed in turn 4, which was a shame because he was going fast.”

Verstappen, pole number 40

Fast and uncatchable, Max returns, except in the pit lane where he is suspected of having driven too slowly (he ends up under investigation”. Pole number 40 of his career for the Dutchman, eighth in 2024 and fourth in Styria, which represents a record: he surpasses Lauda, ​​Arnoux, Piquet, Bottas. After the mini-qualifying, the 100 km itself ahead of Piastri and Norris, Verstappen is a candidate to win for the fourth time: “Qualifying went really well, we adjusted the car a bit, I attacked the corners a bit more and I had fun”. Norris, who is trying to attack him and who in the mini-race accused himself of not being up to par (he was overtaken by Piastri in an attempt to catch Max), admits: “It was the best we could do, Max today in a category of his own. It will be tough to beat him in the race”. Mercedes continues to climb back up the slope and get into the zone: better with Russell: “The car feels great. We have a good battle with Ferrari and we are still a bit behind McLaren. We are in the right direction, even if Max is still a long way off”. Hamilton 5th and under observation for having exited the pits and knocked over some materials. However, ahead of his next teammate, Leclerc, very far away. If Max returns to flying, Ferrari confirms its fourth force.

The starting grid of the Austrian Grand Prix

1 Verstappen, 2 Norris

3 Russell, 4 Sainz

5 Hamilton, 6 Leclerc

7 Perez, 8 Piastre

9 Hulkenberg, 10 Ocon

11 Ricciardo, 12 Magnussen

13 Gasly, 14 Tsunoda

15 Alonso, 16 Albon

17 Stroll, 18 Bottas

19 Sargeant, 20 Zhou