Lando Norris produced a breathtaking display of speed and control to seize pole position for the 2025 F1 Austrian GP, marking what he later described as one of the most rewarding Qualifying sessions of his career. Around the demanding Red Bull Ring, where precision and bravery define performance, Norris delivered a lap that married sharp execution with unrelenting commitment. His final effort in Q3 was a statement of intent—half a second clear of the field at a circuit where such margins are almost unheard of.
The McLaren driver had already shown impressive pace across the weekend despite missing FP1, yet his Q3 performance revealed a new level of confidence and control. Speaking in the post-Qualifying press conference, Norris offered a detailed breakdown of what made the session so intense, and why delivering a lap on the edge felt so satisfying.
On the edge throughout
From the opening corners of his final run in Qualifying at the 2025 F1 Austrian GP, Norris knew he had to push the limits. The Red Bull Ring’s high-speed layout rewards commitment but punishes even the smallest error with gravel traps and lap deletions. He embraced that challenge fully.
“Always impossible to say, but as close as I would probably ask for,” he explained when asked whether the lap had been perfect. Norris emphasised just how close he came to overstepping the limit at several corners. “You know, in all the places I could be close to being in the gravel or over the limit, I feel like I was. So, it was a very good lap.”
The McLaren driver then described how he found incremental time throughout the circuit by refining his line and trusting the car’s balance through some of the most daunting corners on the calendar.
“I think I improved in every corner and, especially around here, with the high speed in Turn 6, Turn 7, 9, and 10, especially in quali, you have got to commit, and it is exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. So, yes, again, rewarding when things go right like they did today. And to put the laps in that I did today, I was very happy with. So, yes, it was a fun Qualifying.”
Pressure never eased
Although his first lap in Q3 put him on provisional pole, Norris revealed that he did not feel at ease heading into his final run. He remained aware that the Ferrari drivers, along with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, posed a serious threat. The pressure, rather than easing, intensified.
“Not really. No. I mean, the others were not far behind. Even the Ferraris and Charles was a bit closer,” Norris admitted, underscoring that the fight remained close. He pointed out that the gap to rivals had been wider in qualifying than in final practice, which caught him slightly by surprise. “I think all the way through Quali, actually, the gap to some of the others was bigger than I was expecting. They were not miles away in FP3.”
However, he noted that McLaren made a step forward at the crucial moment. “But then as soon as we went out for Quali, we seemed like a good step ahead. So, I was not too worried. There is this guy here on the left, he is also pretty quick, and the expectation is for him to go out and put some good laps in too, especially in Q3s normally.”
Despite holding the advantage, he felt the need to fine-tune specific sections of the lap. “So, yes, I think the pressure was still there, and I still knew there were places to improve. So, again, just try to do Turn 1, 3, 4 correctly and then push it a little bit more in the high speed, and that is what I did.”
Verstappen still a threat
While Norris starts from pole, he dismissed any suggestion that Max Verstappen’s off-colour Qualifying result at the 2025 F1 Austrian GP removed him from contention. The reigning World Champion had looked strong earlier in the weekend but failed to deliver in Q3. Still, Norris urged caution and respect.
“I mean, Max has been our main contender for every race this season,” he said, noting that one poor Qualifying session does not diminish Verstappen’s overall threat. “I think just because he has had a slightly worse Qualifying today, definitely not going to count him out of the race tomorrow and definitely not going to count him out for the rest of the season.”
He addressed the upgrades Red Bull brought to Spielberg and acknowledged that they may not have worked as intended. “They brought upgrades. Maybe they have not worked as well as they wanted or maybe they have. I do not know. But I think we expected them to be quicker here this weekend. They have still looked pretty good for the most part this weekend, but I do not know what happened to Max in Q3.”
A look at the Championship battle
Norris turned his attention back to the championship picture, recognising that his closest rival at the moment is likely his own team-mate. “So, no. I think, of course, we as team-mates are probably the main rivals of each other at the minute.”
Even so, he insisted that Verstappen cannot be counted out. “But at the same time, I do not think we are ever – until he is out of the race – I do not think we are ever going to take Max out of the equation.”
The McLaren driver concluded with a reminder about the length and unpredictability of the season. “It is still a very long season. So, I think people just need to chill out a little bit. And we will see tomorrow.”
Pole the first step in a bigger fight
Norris will lead the field away at Sunday’s Austrian GP, equipped with confidence, a strong car, and the knowledge that a win is far from guaranteed. Ferrari lurk close behind, Piastri will start just a row away, and Verstappen has built a career on climbing through the field.
However, Norris’s pole lap at Spielberg represented more than just a strong Saturday. It was a culmination of technical refinement, mental clarity, and the willingness to take risks at precisely the right time. As he said, it was fun—but it also laid down a serious marker. Now, with the championship fight intensifying, he will aim to back up that performance under race conditions. The true test begins when the lights go out.
