As F1 heads to the stunning Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, for the 11th round of the season, and the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, the air is thick with anticipation following a controversial end to the Canadian Grand Prix. The track itself has a history of teammate controversies, setting the stage for potentially more drama between McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after their clash in Montreal during round 10.
McLaren has proven it’s the team to beat this season and their dominance is expected to continue. However, Max Verstappen remains a formidable threat at Red Bull’s home circuit, having won the most races and secured the most poles there. Mercedes, fresh off George Russell’s victory in Canada, is also a strong contender. With these big boys of the sport poised for battle, here’s a look at potential podium finishers and some possible surprises for this weekend’s race at Spielberg.
P1/Winner of the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix: Lando Norris | McLaren
Lando Norris enters the Austrian Grand Prix with a clear mission: redemption. Following a disappointing retirement at the Canadian Grand Prix due to a collision with teammate Oscar Piastri, Norris has a point to prove. He almost won in Austria last year, only to be denied by a late collision with Max Verstappen, a score he’ll be looking to settle. Norris is in a “must-win” situation to close the points deficit to Piastri and address his qualifying weaknesses. Red Bull Ring holds special significance for Norris, as it’s where he secured his first Formula 1 podium. McLaren cars typically perform well at this circuit.
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P2 at Austrian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen | Red Bull
Max Verstappen should not be ruled out to win it all at the Red Bull Ring despite some predictions of a disappointing weekend. He has a strong record at the circuit, having won four races and taken four pole positions, more than any other driver on the current grid. He hasn’t dominated this season like he did in previous years, but he is always a threat to win. There is some concern with the Red Bull car. Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, fears the RB21’s weakness in medium-speed corners could be exposed at their home track. Also, Verstappen remains one penalty point away from a race ban, adding an extra layer of pressure to avoid incidents.
P3 Finisher: George Russell | Mercedes
George Russell is a strong candidate for a podium finish, especially after his impressive victory at the Canadian Grand Prix. Russell secured his second career win at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, making Mercedes a strong contender for a repeat performance. Mercedes has been working to optimize its package and Russell’s recent win, along with Kimi Antonelli’s podium in Canada, are encouraging signs. The team’s rear suspension upgrade proved successful in Canada, helping Russell beat Verstappen to the win. If this success continues at the Red Bull Ring, Mercedes could become a significant force. Russell has finished on the podium in four of the nine races this season (before Canada), making him a reliable pick for a top-three spot.
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Possible Contenders: Oscar Piastri | McLaren & Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber
As the current championship leader, Oscar Piastri is listed as the betting favorite for the Austrian Grand Prix win. He enters the race with immense confidence, having outperformed Norris in head-to-head battles this season. McLaren’s massive lead with their car characteristics in traction races, such as the Red Bull Ring, should favor them. Yet, something feels off with Spielberg this year. Call it a hunch.
Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto of Sauber could be a huge surprise this week at the Austrian Grand Prix. Sauber has become much more competitive since their first major update of the season, with teammate Nico Hulkenberg already scoring points. Bortoleto’s recent qualifying performances indicate that his first career points finish in F1 could be at any time. Watch the rookie this weekend.
The 2025 Austrian Grand Prix promises another thrilling chapter in the 2025 F1 season, with championship points and bragging rights on the line in the Styrian mountains.
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