Six Key Takeaways from the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix

The 2025 Austrian Grand Prix delivered yet another enthralling weekend of Formula 1 action at the Red Bull Ring. Nestled in the Styrian hills of Spielberg, the circuit has become a modern classic, offering high-speed corners, dramatic elevation changes, and tight braking zones that have seen plenty of wheel-to-wheel action over the years. This year was no exception.

From team triumphs to personal redemption stories and a few weekends to forget, here are six of the most compelling takeaways from this year’s Austrian GP.

1. McLaren Prove They Are in a League of Their Own

The McLaren resurgence continues in dominant fashion. Lando Norris took victory at the Red Bull Ring after a race-long duel with teammate Oscar Piastri, reinforcing that the papaya team are not just contenders - they are the benchmark in 2025.

The tension between the McLaren drivers is becoming one of the defining stories of the season. Just one week after a controversial tangle in Canada, both Norris and Piastri raced wheel-to-wheel again in Austria. This time, they avoided contact, but the rivalry is heating up. Norris hailed it as a "perfect result" while Piastri admitted he was pushing to the limit, calling the battle one of the toughest of his career.

It’s remarkable to consider that McLaren hadn’t won at the Red Bull Ring since David Coulthard’s victory in 2001. That drought is now over, and the team's momentum is undeniable. With more than half the season remaining, the intra-team battle could intensify.

2. A Harsh Reality Check for Kimi Antonelli

After an incredible podium in Canada, Mercedes’ rookie Kimi Antonelli came crashing back down to earth in Austria - quite literally. A first-lap incident with Max Verstappen ended not only Antonelli’s race but also Verstappen’s, who was on a 31-race points streak and had won five times previously at this track.

Antonelli, who was handed a three-place grid penalty for the next round at Silverstone, accepted blame and publicly apologised to Verstappen. It was a tough lesson for the young Italian, highlighting the razor-thin margin between heroics and heartbreak in Formula 1. Despite his talent, Antonelli is still learning, and Austria was a reminder that even rookies with immense potential are prone to costly mistakes.

3. Red Bull Without Max: A Bleak Glimpse into the Future

When Verstappen was eliminated on Lap 1, the Red Bull garage lost its anchor - and what followed was one of the team’s most disappointing performances in recent memory. Tsunoda languished in P16 and openly admitted post-race, “I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong.” His struggles, coupled with Verstappen’s DNF, meant that Red Bull failed to score a single point at their home race.

It ended a 77-race scoring streak for the team and raised serious concerns about depth and development as they look toward the 2026 regulation changes. Tsunoda’s underwhelming showing has likely dashed any hopes of a full-time Red Bull seat next season. Without Verstappen, Red Bull looked like a midfield team at best - and that’s a sobering reality for fans and management alike.

4. Sauber’s Upturn Continues with Double Points Finish

Sauber were one of the surprise packages of the weekend. Nico Hulkenberg executed a phenomenal drive from P20 on the grid to finish ninth, while rookie Gabriel Bortoleto secured his first-ever points in Formula 1 with a P8 finish - earning him Driver of the Day honours.

Much of this performance resurgence is being attributed to the technical leadership of James Wheatley, brought on board earlier this season. His influence is evident, and the results suggest that the team is finally building a solid foundation as they prepare to transition into Audi's works team in 2026.

One of the standout moments came late in the race, when Bortoleto went wheel-to-wheel with Fernando Alonso - the very man managing his career off-track. The duel was clean, aggressive, and emblematic of a young driver starting to carve out his own path. If this upward trend continues, Sauber could play a much bigger role in the midfield fight than anyone anticipated.

5. Williams Lose Momentum as Sainz Struggles

It has been a turbulent stretch for Williams. What looked like a promising start to the season has faded into inconsistency. Sainz suffered a miserable weekend, with a DNS, while teammate Alex Albon recorded his third consecutive retirement.

Sainz voiced frustrations post-race, stating that the team needs to regroup and find answers before their season slips further. Albon echoed the sentiment, calling for the team to stop the issues that have plagued their recent performances.

The mood in the Williams garage is noticeably more downcast than it was a few months ago, and unless they can address reliability and setup concerns quickly, the team risks falling further behind in an increasingly competitive midfield.

6. Lawson Quietly Delivers a Standout Performance

While the headlines focused on McLaren’s intra-team battle and Red Bull’s implosion, Liam Lawson quietly executed one of his most composed and complete races of the season. Although not on the podium, his pace, consistency, and tyre management stood out.

Lawson’s result - inside the points and ahead of several more experienced drivers - reflects a driver finally finding his feet after a worrying start to the year. As is often the cash with spat-out second Red Bull drivers, this process takes time. As teams assess their 2026 lineups, Lawson’s stock continues to rise. He may not generate the same media frenzy as Antonelli or Piastri, but he's quietly building a compelling case for a long-term future in Formula 1.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Austrian Grand Prix delivered thrills, spills, and significant championship implications. McLaren’s dominance, Red Bull’s unravelling, and standout performances from drivers like Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, and Lawson made it a race to remember. With the second half of the season still ahead, momentum is building for some teams, while others are being left behind.

Looking to book a Formula 1 experience in 2026?

Thinking about attending the Austrian Grand Prix in 2026? Or perhaps the twilight racing of Singapore, or the opulence of Abu Dhabi? Pole Position Experiences offers fully curated luxury F1 travel packages. Secure your seat at a Grand Prix in 2026 - now taking bookings.