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- In a stunning qualifying session at the Austrian Grand Prix, McLaren has achieved something they’ve never done before at the Red Bull Ring – claiming pole position.
- As Formula 1 reached the halfway point of the season with its 11th race weekend in Austria, McLaren emerged as the clear favorite from the very beginning of qualifying.
- With McLaren showing such formidable pace and Red Bull seemingly on the back foot at their home track, we might be in for a shake-up in the championship battle.
In a stunning qualifying session at the Austrian Grand Prix, McLaren has achieved something they’ve never done before at the Red Bull Ring – claiming pole position. Lando Norris secured the top spot in a dominant display that saw McLaren lock out the front row before Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc managed to split the papaya cars.
McLaren dominates qualifying with impressive pace
As Formula 1 reached the halfway point of the season with its 11th race weekend in Austria, McLaren emerged as the clear favorite from the very beginning of qualifying. The question wasn’t if they would take pole, but rather if any other team could possibly challenge their remarkable pace.
In Q1, Norris and Piastri comfortably secured the top two positions, leaving their rivals watching from a distance. Mercedes struggled more than expected, with George Russell and rookie Andrea Antonelli needing their final flying laps to ensure they advanced to Q2. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, Lance Stroll, Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz, and Nico Hulkenberg all failed to make the cut.
The second qualifying session painted a similar picture at the top, with the McLaren duo maintaining a half-second advantage over their closest competitors. Midway through Q2, a red flag was brought out after Lewis Hamilton went off track, bringing dirt onto the racing line.
Rookie surprise and championship leader struggles
When action resumed, Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto delivered the biggest surprise of the session, advancing to Q3 for the first time in his F1 career with an impressive fifth-fastest time. Antonelli barely scraped through in tenth place, while Fernando Alonso, Alex Albon, Isack Hadjar, Franco Colapinto, and Oliver Bearman were eliminated.
Q3 started perfectly for Norris, who not only set the fastest time on his first attempt but also saw Leclerc slot between him and teammate Piastri. Max Verstappen, who has dominated at this track in recent years, had a surprisingly poor lap and found himself down in sixth position.
Norris secures his 12th career pole
The battle for pole wasn’t as close as many expected. Norris improved even further on his second run, while Piastri couldn’t complete his final lap and remained stuck behind Leclerc, who secured second place on the grid. This marks Norris’s 12th pole position of his Formula 1 career and his first at the Austrian circuit.
The result sets up what promises to be a fascinating race at the Red Bull Ring. With McLaren showing such formidable pace and Red Bull seemingly on the back foot at their home track, we might be in for a shake-up in the championship battle.
(I’ve been following F1 for decades, and I must say this McLaren renaissance is one of the most exciting storylines in recent seasons. Remember when they were struggling just a few years ago?)
The Austrian Grand Prix looks set to deliver incredible racing action, with McLaren aiming to convert their qualifying dominance into race victory. Will Norris be able to hold off Leclerc and a likely charging Verstappen? The stage is set for an epic battle in the Styrian mountains.
