What a Qualifying Session at the Red Bull Ring
Qualifying for the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix delivered a highly intriguing grid and, more importantly, a technically rich picture. There is absolutely no doubt about who dominated: Lando Norris and his McLaren have been the standout performers of a practically flawless weekend so far. The British driver has a special connection with the Austrian track, and this time he showed it without giving in to pressure or nerves, setting two outstanding laps in Q3—especially the second one, which showcased data worthy of a higher category. This was made possible, of course, by the fact that the track layout and environmental conditions were simply ideal for the MCL39, turning the session into a triumph for Norris, who pulled half a second clear of Leclerc—an excellent second—on a lap lasting just over a minute. A stunning result, confirmed by the data below.
McLaren’s superiority did not manifest itself only in the second sector, the fast corners, as had been seen in FP3. Norris dominated there too, of course, but was also impressive in corner entry and traction in all the slow turns of the track’s first part. As always when a circuit demands a setup compromise, McLaren delivers—and more. The scorching heat during qualifying combined with a track that reduced rear-end grip created the perfect scenario for the Woking team to showcase the real difference their car can make. The MCL39 can soften its suspension setup to achieve class-leading traction while never struggling with rear tyre overheating. It remains remarkable how Andrea Stella’s car stands out on circuits requiring a balanced suspension configuration. At Zeltweg, for example, Norris gained time both in the slow, stop-and-go style sections (the first half of the lap) and the faster segments. In the first half, the gap to Charles Leclerc grew incrementally at each turn—by more than a tenth per corner. In the second half, Leclerc was able to hold his ground better, reinforcing the impression that the SF-25 was running with more downforce—likely also thanks to the new floor, which, among other benefits, allows the car to run lower to the ground.
Ferrari emerges as second force, with very encouraging signs
The gap between Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc (and everyone else) was massive, but it shouldn’t distract from the absolute value of the SF-25 this weekend. Ferrari appeared clearly improved compared to recent races, already competitive in qualifying (against everyone except Norris, of course). In general, even Hamilton looked much more at ease. All in all, Charles Leclerc lost more time to Norris in the slow corners than in the fast ones, confirming the quality of Ferrari’s aerodynamic platform—when used under optimal conditions, it provides strong performance.
A direct comparison of data between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc reveals a few interesting points. The seven-time world champion was significantly stronger than Leclerc throughout the first half of the lap in the slow corners, where his technique of braking very late finally seemed to pay off, perhaps also aided by increased downforce from the latest upgrades. Lewis built up a two-tenths lead over Leclerc but then suffered a major snap at Turn 6, forcing him into damage limitation mode for the second half of the lap—where all his issues in high-speed corner management reappeared. It was in this second section that Hamilton lost all the time he had gained—and more—ending up fourth on the grid. Nonetheless, this was Hamilton’s best Saturday performance of the season (Sprint aside), and if Ferrari continues to bring updates in the upcoming races, as expected, the Briton may increasingly challenge Charles Leclerc up close.
Red Bull struggles, Mercedes far behind
At Red Bull, there was little reason to smile. Aside from the usual Yuki Tsunoda (sacrificial victim of the RB21’s second seat), Max Verstappen’s final attempt was hampered by a yellow flag caused by Gasly’s spin—but even before that, he didn’t seem to have the pace to threaten Leclerc. The RB21 appeared nervous and unstable in the hot conditions and low-fuel setup. Mercedes, despite being strong in the first sector, never looked capable of contending for top positions and struggled immensely in the second half of the lap, whenever lateral loads became dominant.
What to Expect in the Race
The race promises to be highly compelling. On a track where overtaking is possible, with at least two pit stops expected and a high chance of a Safety Car, surprises are likely. Ferrari has shown a promising race pace—much closer to McLaren than qualifying suggests. Leclerc will aim to surprise Norris at the start and then, as Fred Vasseur hinted, with aggressive strategy choices. Oscar Piastri, starting further back, will be highly motivated to rejoin the fight with Norris, while Verstappen will aim to fight his way back up. Hamilton will try to seriously target his first podium of the season, possibly battling Charles Leclerc for it. The variables are numerous, with McLaren clearly the favourite, but needing to translate its superiority into race performance.
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