Lando Norris and Austria: For the third time in a row, the Formula 1 race could be decisive for the McLaren driver – he can iron out his mistakes
As much as McLaren would like to put the chapter surrounding Lando Norris’ incident with his teammate Oscar Piastri at the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix behind them, the incident will inevitably remain a topic of conversation at the upcoming race in Spielberg.
Norris was able to cushion the initial wave of criticism by clearly admitting his mistake immediately after the race. McLaren team boss Andrea Stella praised this open attitude in his analysis and emphasized that McLaren lives by certain values – even if Norris violated one of them with the incident.
Nevertheless, it should be clear that McLaren cannot simply move on to the agenda. How Norris will now be managed internally and how to ensure that there are no further collisions within the team will be decided behind closed doors. Stella announced “good talks” immediately after the crash in Canada – but only “when everyone has had a rest, calm has been restored and we can reflect on everything we want to take away with us – and what we want to leave behind.”
Austria should play into McLaren’s hands: a classic track where the team can deliver its performance. Norris would therefore have the opportunity to make up for his mistake with a strong result.
It would be the third year in a row that the Red Bull Ring proves to be a turning point for the Brit. The track in the foothills of the Styrian Alps has always been a special place for Norris – not least because it was here that he stood on a Formula 1 podium for the first time. And Spielberg has also been a milestone in his career so far.
A look back at 2023: McLaren had admitted before the start of the season that it would be a difficult start – and that’s exactly how it turned out. The MCL60 was clearly lagging behind in the first few races. Team boss Stella reorganized the technical structure, worked on a radical aerodynamic update, and presented it in Austria. Norris was the first to get the new package, with teammate Piastri only getting to enjoy it at Silverstone.
2023 and 2024 were important
Before Austria, McLaren was in sixth place in the constructors’ championship with a meagre 17 points – 27 points behind Alpine and 137 behind Aston Martin. But things turned around in Spielberg: Norris qualified in fourth place, fell back briefly at the start and due to a virtual safety car, but finished fourth.
That was the turning point: by the time of his strong home race in Silverstone, it was clear that the upward trend was not a flash in the pan. In the end, McLaren overtook Aston Martin in the World Championship – despite trailing by 137 points after Canada.
Spielberg was also the turning point for Norris in 2024 – but this time without a happy ending. Max Verstappen clearly dominated qualifying with a lead of over four-tenths of a second. But in the race, Norris struck back in the final stint, helped by a slow pit stop by Verstappen, and put the world champion under pressure.
2025: Will he turn things around?
But then came the crash: Norris tried to overtake on the outside of turn 3, Verstappen held his line – and they collided. The race was over. Although this was not a direct setback for Norris in the World Championship, it left its mark: he learned that he needs to be smarter against Verstappen – and that the start and qualifying are crucial if he wants to win.
Spielberg could also be key again in 2025. The mistake in Canada has increased the gap to Piastri to 22 points – and the Australian will not give up this lead without a fight.
How Norris deals with the pressure will be crucial. If he can block out the internal noise and seize his opportunities, Spielberg could be the turning point. If not, the weekend will be remembered as a wasted opportunity. Piastri, on the other hand, has made hardly any mistakes so far. So for Norris, it’s not just a matter of eliminating mistakes, but also of beating a teammate who is as cool as ice.